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Dear Ella,
As we step into the new year, I invite you to join me in embracing the theme of "Planting Seeds of Hope" for January 2025. The winter months, though often cold and still, hold a quiet magic. Beneath the surface, life is percolating—dreams, ideas, and intentions preparing to take root and grow. This is a time for reflection, a sacred pause to nurture the seeds of our aspirations and tend to the soil of our inner lives.
I don't put much stock in New Year’s resolutions. They often carry an immense weight, setting us up for disappointment when life inevitably calls for course corrections. Instead, I encourage us to dream boldly, set meaningful goals, and allow ourselves the grace to adapt along the way. Like a garden, life’s seasons demand flexibility—sometimes we must replant, prune, or simply wait for the right conditions to bloom.
While we hold hope for our personal journeys, it’s impossible to ignore the struggles unfolding in our shared world. Here in the United States, the devastating wildfires in California have left so many people displaced and heartbroken. To those directly impacted by these fires, please know you are in our hearts and prayers. We are here to support you however we can, standing together as a sisterhood in times of need.
These tragedies remind us of our responsibility as women and as creators. We are stewards of this planet—our home, our Mother. The fires, storms, and other extreme weather events we are witnessing are undeniable cries for action. Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is here, demanding our attention and courage.
It’s time for us to speak up, to advocate fiercely for the preservation of our Earth. The forces driving her destruction may feel insurmountable, but history has shown the power of collective action—especially when fueled by the passion and wisdom of women. Together, we can create ripples of change that will echo for generations to come.
As we nurture the seeds of hope in our own lives, let us also plant seeds of advocacy, compassion, and commitment to our planet’s well-being. The work we do today is not just for ourselves but for our children and the countless lives that will follow.
May this month be a time of quiet tending and intentional dreaming, both for your personal growth and for the collective future we are shaping. Remember, every small action matters. Every seed of hope we plant carries the potential to grow into something extraordinary.
Much Love,
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Ella Hicks is a seasoned trauma and mindfulness coach dedicated to guiding women from all around the world on their healing journeys. As a survivor of domestic violence, she deeply understands the complexities of the healing process. As the founder of Rebel Thriver, she uses her expertise to serve as a guide and sounding board for women working to overcome the aftermath of abuse, empowering them to embrace a brighter future.
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Coming to the Village in 2025! | |
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The Duality of New Beginnings
By Jacqui F.
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New beginnings can be hard because they often require stepping out of our comfort zone, facing uncertainty, and letting go of the familiar. Change can be frightening, especially when it involves redefining parts of our identity or routine. It’s natural to feel vulnerable when starting something new because the outcome is unknown, and the effort required to build or adjust can feel overwhelming.
However, new beginnings are necessary because they bring growth, renewal, and opportunities to align with our goals and values. They allow us to shed what no longer serves us and embrace possibilities that could lead to a better version of ourselves. Without new beginnings, we might remain stuck, unable to fully experience our potential or life’s richness.
Ultimately, the challenge of new beginnings is what makes it transformative. It’s both a test and a gift, pushing us to evolve while offering the opportunity for something better.
Trauma can leave us feeling as though our life has been shattered, our sense of safety and identity compromised. Within the pain lies the possibility for transformation—a new beginning. Trauma does not define the totality of our existence, and healing is often a journey of rediscovering and recreating our self. This process, while challenging, can also be profoundly empowering. Each step forward becomes an act of resilience, a declaration that life continues, and that we have the power to shape it anew.
New beginnings after trauma often start with acknowledgment and acceptance. Facing the truth of our experiences and emotions is a courageous first step toward healing. It allows us to break free from denial or avoidance and begin the process of understanding how the trauma has impacted our lives. This stage can feel overwhelming, but it opens the door to clarity and self-awareness—essential building blocks for moving forward.
The journey toward new beginnings also involves redefining personal values and goals. Trauma can strip away what once felt stable or meaningful, leaving us to reimagine our purpose. In this space, new possibilities can emerge. A person might develop a stronger sense of empathy, a deeper appreciation for life’s moments, or a commitment to helping others who have faced similar struggles. These transformations do not erase the trauma but integrate it into a broader narrative of growth and resilience.
While the path to a new beginning is rarely linear, it is marked by moments of self-discovery and empowerment. Support from others—whether through therapy, community, or loved ones—can make all the difference in turning pain into progress. Ultimately, new beginnings after trauma remind us that while the past shapes us, it does not have to define our future. Healing allows us to write a new story, one where strength, hope, and renewal emerge from even the darkest chapters.
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Our private online community, The Village, is a dream come true for so many women because it provides a truly safe space to heal. For survivors, finding a place that feels genuinely secure—where everyone speaks the same language of healing and support—can be incredibly challenging.
The Village stands as an oasis in the often inauthentic world of social media. Women from around the globe come together here to learn, heal, and find unwavering support. It’s more than just a community; it’s a vibrant, empowering sisterhood where transformation happens and lasting connections are built.
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Homemade Chai Concentrate
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Instructions
- In a mortar and pestle, crush the knob of ginger into chunks to release the juices and expose more surface area. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, roses, cardamom pods, and black peppercorns into the mortar and use the pestle to lightly crush them so they release their oils. Lastly, use a microplane to grate a bit of nutmeg.
- Transfer all of the spices from the mortar to a medium sized pot. On medium heat, dry roast the spices for a minute, or until they're fragrant. Use a wooden spoon to stir them around every 10 seconds so they don't burn.
- Pour the water in with the spices and bring it to a light rolling boil for 3-5 minutes, or until fragrant.
- At this point, add in the black tea leaves and mix really well. Simmer the spices with the black tea for 5 minutes. Be careful not to boil it for too long, otherwise it will be very bitter.
- Remove the pot from heat and pour in the sugar. Stir until the sugar has fully dissolved.
- Allow the spices and tea to steep in the hot water for at least 15 minutes. Then, strain the chai concentrate into a sanitized pitcher with a lid. Store in the fridge for up to five days.
- Use a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to milk. The concentrate can be served steamed, heated, or chilled.
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Notes
- Substitute honey or brown sugar as a sweetener
- Use 1 tea bag per teaspoon of tea leaves.
- The amount of spices for cardamom, black peppercorns, cloves, and nutmeg are based on high quality single-origin spices. They are especially potent and flavorful. Adjust the amount based on the quality of spices and personal preference.
- Substitute black tea with rooibos for a decaffeinated option.
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What Defines a New Beginning
By Kyra Strasberg
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Driving with my daughter I asked her what she thought about new beginnings. Her response, “I think it’s a fool's errand.” When I asked why,
she continued, “Because we take our past with us. We have to or we wouldn’t be who we are.” My daughter is also a survivor. She was the unfortunate recipient of her step father’s, our abuser's, venom more frequently than her sister.
Our conversation turned to New Year's resolutions. At twenty, she already knows that most of us set ourselves up for failure. I am not a fan of resolutions either, but I have a different philosophy. If I want to start something new in January, I give it a go in November to see if it might be something I can honestly undertake. I try out different things; a less rigid way of meditating, a new type of exercise, a new morning routine. I practice this before the new year to see if it’s a good fit.
As we talked, my mind kept turning to the image of a seedling. While it may sound trite, it is a powerful analogy for survivors. We are the seed. We have a carefully constructed shell, built to protect us. Our past, in all its brutality, is the dark earth that covers the seed. The darkness doesn’t stop that seed from growing. In fact, it is the fertile soil for change as the seed starts to sprout. For a survivor, the combination of tears and pain are the necessary fertilizer that supports growth. The seedling must grow beyond the hard shell that protects it. As the pressure to grow builds, the seed shell breaks open. When it does, the tiniest root emerges to burrow into the ground around it. To continue growing, that root must take hold in deep soil. When it does, the foundation for the most amazing transformation takes place. The root grows stronger and winds its way further into the darkness, and the shell of the seed is discarded. From the darkness, new life emerges. For survivors to grow and heal, we must welcome change. As we wade through the past, we may begin to see how and where we can grow. The very thing that once depleted us, can now revitalize us.
In the words of Gisele Pelicot, “the shame was never meant to be ours.”
As we emerge from the shadows and into the light, our growth becomes a beacon of hope for others. As we heal, our brilliance has the potential to reveal the truth. Abuse is real. Abuse must stop. Our justice system must change. We must summon our courage to say it out loud. When it comes to new beginnings, we can start where we are using all that we've learned from our growth. With continued growth and healing, we can light the way for other survivors, our Rebel Thriver sisters. As we approach this new year, let it be the beginning of a sea of change. We are not ashamed. We are the torchbearers of a brighter future.
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From the Mind Body Movement Corner
By Kyra Strasberg | |
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How many of us make New Year's resolutions? How many of us fall short and let it all go chalking it up to “a failure?” What would happen if we looked at it differently this year? One of the greatest health concerns and the genesis of many illnesses is stress. We overload our proverbial plate and then wonder why we can’t digest it all. We get sick in the midst of our greatest accomplishments because we can’t find the knob to lower the heat. Whether we’re living in an abusive situation, freshly out of one, or working on healing, there is a constant undertone of worry. This unease can be the very source of our stress. What if this year or better yet maybe just starting with January, we explore how we might lessen the load. What can you do to slow down to ease the tension?
Here are some ideas, but feel free to come up with your own:
- Before you begin eating, take three long, deep breaths, with each exhale longer than the last. This simple practice puts your nervous system in rest and digest mode so your body can take in your food without all the stress-induced cortisol. Check out Ella Davar for more about this.
- Try sitting, not rushing ahead, for five minutes after you eat. Even if you eat on the run, take five, and let your body digest. Your mind might like it too.
- Before you rush into work, a meeting, or a Zoom call, give yourself space. Pause. Breathe.
- Pick a pause place. Find one spot in your day and allow yourself to sit and be. No phone. No to do list at hand. Just be. Can you make this a daily practice? Could you do it at roughly the same time each day?
Perhaps 2025 is about a focus on breathing. Find more space to breathe in your day and see how your body thanks you for it. No matter what you do or don’t do, remember that no one gets a medal for resting the least or for never saying no. Let this year be about you. You deserve it.
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"Education is the key that unlocks the golden door to freedom."
- George Washington Carver
We believe that education is the cornerstone of empowerment and growth. That's why we have created the Rebel Thriver Education Fund, dedicated to providing fee waivers for courses and individual coaching to the resilient women in our community. This initiative is designed to break down financial barriers and open doors to new opportunities for learning and personal development.
Why this Fund Matters:
Many women in our community have faced incredible challenges and shown immense strength. Yet, financial constraints often limit their access to education and skill-building opportunities. Our Education Fund is here to change that. By offering fee waivers, we ensure that every woman has the chance to participate in all that we offer in our Village community.
"Bloom is a sanctuary for survivors of domestic violence and abuse. It’s a beautiful group where you can find solace, support, and sisterhood. Through this process, I’ve learned to prioritize self-care, set healthy boundaries, and I’ve embraced my self-worth. This guidance has been pivotal in my healing journey. I highly recommend Bloom to anyone who’s ready to reclaim their power and rewrite their story." – Amanda
"I thought I knew everything there is to know about domestic violence through my own lived experience, but this foundational course has taught me so much. It helped me to understand what I lived through so that I can begin my journey of healing." - Sophie
Together, we can break down barriers and ensure every woman in our community has the opportunity to thrive.
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As we close this edition of the Village Compass, I invite you to reflect on the words of Bell Hooks: "One of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance, places where we know we are not alone."
As we head into the new year let us remember that every single one of us has the power to mend broken pieces, to bring light to the darkness, and to foster a community where we can all thrive. Never forget that we are the weavers of our own resilience and strength.
See you in February!
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"We're all just walking each other home." - Ram Dass
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