I'd like to share another book excerpt and some writing prompts from the ends of the chapters.
From HUMMINGBIRD:
"The events of our childhoods have the power to shape our lives and linger for a lifetime. They can build character and be the guiding light for finding our personal path. Sometimes childhood experiences establish themes that follow us into adulthood. Perhaps one of these experiences was a joyful one, or maybe it was related to trauma or pain as a result of loss, abandonment, being orphaned, or being severely physically or emotionally hurt.
We all respond differently to challenging life experiences. Some people are blessed to be able to turn disorder into order, to make good from bad, and to draw meaning from lived experiences. The ability to do this could be viewed as grace, but, unfortunately, there are those who live with unresolved childhood wounds for the rest of their lives.
Abuse and neglect are the most common forms of wounds or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Emotional and physical abandonment, which is what I felt when my grandmother took her life, is also becoming more and more of a problem.
During my decades of storytelling and helping others write their memoirs, and from my work as a research psychologist, I’ve come to learn that those who’ve survived challenging or traumatic childhoods tend to be more conscious and intuitive. In fact, these characteristics have helped them survive. My grandmother, father, and I have fallen into this category. When you’re exposed to someone who is highly conscious, you feel an energy jolt from them. You feel a deep connection. You might sense a field of greater awareness.
As a result of my experiences, my life has also been marked by being a seeker. If you are at a crossroads, or if your life path has also been that of a seeker, chances are that you’ll ask questions about your life purpose, your destiny, and how you can discover it. These are indeed sacred questions. They’re awakening questions that will inspire you to look for the messages elicited by your heart, which will compel you to examine what matters most to you (p.129)."
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Examples of reflection/writing prompts from the book:
- What transformative event has changed your life forever?
- If tomorrow were your last day on earth, how might you spend it?
The book is available wherever books are sold or online here:
