Healing From Sexual Violence
When it comes to “frequently asked questions” about the Beyond Brave Community, “What tools will I learn?” is one of the most important. You don’t want to hear the same old things you’ve tried before that haven’t worked. You don’t want complex, time-consuming tools that are hard to learn and …
There are two reasons people can’t find the time to meditate: 1. They lead stressed out chaotic lives, and 2. They have a false belief that meditating requires magical peace and silent alone-ness BEFORE sitting down. If your life is chaotic, you will need to prioritize those 20 minutes with …
Every survivor heals in their own way, and it is not anyone’s place to judge someone’s healing process. And, sometimes, people on the outside who love us can see what we can’t see, and can ask the question, “Are you sure?” When I meet a survivor who acts out toxic …
What does shame feel like in the body? It might feel like stooped shoulders, or hanging your head until your neck is permanently crooked. It might feel like all your muscles are weak, as if the very air is too heavy and it’s all your fault, anyway. When we carry …
If we choose to work on forgiving the people who harm us, many survivors find themselves trying to understand why the perpetrator did what they did. So we go through mental gymnastics trying to understand, explain, rationalize the irrational actions of another person. First we blame ourselves: We …
Why are some people angry and destructive right now, and some people stubbornly happy and actually thriving? We are all going through the same social unrest, political chaos, and global pandemic, even if our individual circumstances are different from each other. I believe our responses to this traumatic time are …
Here’s what happens when you practice intentional grounding. You become as mighty as an oak tree. Oaks start out as tiny acorns, the fruit of the tree. In early spring (May here in Minnesota), the breeze helps pollinate the oaks’ flowers and the acorns grow through gentle rains and wild …
Have you ever sat down on your break at work and felt like you were vibrating because everything today is going too fast? Have you ever lost your temper because you couldn’t handle one more demand from one more person? Have you ever wanted to escape from your life? If …
My husband Jake writes, My wife asked me the other day about the concept of Self-Sabotage because I used to be a 5th degree black belt on the subject. Throughout my whole life, I had goals. I even took the correct steps to reach those goals. I knew that I …
I had the distinct honor of participating in a Nibi Walk around Pokegama Lake, my home lake here in northern Minnesota, this past weekend. What is a Nibi Walk? It’s an indigenous-led and woman-led ceremony to honor all water everywhere on earth, from the water inside our bodies to the …
