Conversations with Santa

Reclaiming and Loving your Body

When we have been through trauma, especially when this trauma has impacted our physical bodies, we often become disconnected from our bodies.  Whether it is from illness that ravaged our bodies, or extreme physical trauma, we almost disconnect from our physical being.  Our bodies are part of the mind, body, spirit trifecta that balances our […]

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Choose YOU!

Choose you first, and others will too. We teach others how to treat us.  As a society, self-care and putting oneself first, is becoming more acceptable.  Many of us grew up learning the belief that we need to sacrifice, compromise, and generally give up a piece of ourselves to others, in order to live a

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Trust Yourself

Trusting self does not come easily when you have been through trauma or difficult experiences.  We tend to question ourselves, doubt our perspectives, or even hand over our power to others. Personal power is built on the ability to trust self.  When we doubt ourselves, we lose faith in life.  Our experiences may erode this

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Releasing Limits

We all limit ourselves in some way, and where and how is based on our life to date. The village that raised you, including the school you went to, parents and other adult influences, and the environment you grew up in, has shaped what you believe to be true about yourself.  These beliefs get fine-tuned

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Permission to Dream

The older we get, the more we feel the impact of the responsibilities we have as adults.  For many, the responsibilities we hold overshadow our personal wishes and dreams.  We have taught ourselves to either shelve our dreams in favor of meeting our obligations, or we dream smaller and simpler dreams, giving up those we

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It’s Time To Fly

It’s never too late to fly – to do those things that call to you.  Our world is focused on what is logical and what is appropriate do to at a certain age, but life has evolved so much, and we are no longer confined to our small part of the world.  We live in

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Breath is Life

Breath is life.  Every breath we take reaffirms our existence in this world.  It cleanses our body, and is a constant rhythm and way to focus. Our breath is the one tool we always have with us.  We never need to remember to pack it, but we do need to remember the gift it provides

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Create to heal

Getting creative is a powerful healing tool.  When we step into the creative zone, it is a fun, playful space to deal with issues we need to release or heal from.  Being creative came naturally to us as children. The older we got, the more we were taught to be responsible and work hard and

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Release and Heal

We all find ourselves holding onto things from our past – past experiences, regrets, or things we wish we had done differently. It is time to release this weight we are carrying around and begin anew.  It is time to let yourself shine.  Holding onto the past keeps us stuck in the past, blocking the

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Mind, Body, Spirit Healing

Our mind, body and Spirit are the three major pieces that comprise who we are and how our life unfolds.  Often this connection is either ignored, or we segment the three by acknowledging them individually as the need arises.  Consciously becoming aware of their interconnected nature allows us to move forward in healing.  When we

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RUNNING THROUGH DARKNESS
MEMOIR OF A SPIRITUAL WARRIOR

BY SANTA MOLINA-MARSHALL ‧ RELEASE DATE: MAY 3, 2022

This debut memoir chronicles a woman’s spiritual exploration and growth as she overcame a disturbing childhood and helped others heal.

Brought to America from the Dominican Republic as a youngster, Molina-Marshall should have led a happy life. Her father was a diligent worker, and his large family wanted for nothing. But the author recounts that her dad had a drinking problem and was a serial philanderer. Molina-Marshall’s long-suffering mother left him for a woman. Then it was all downhill for the bright, 12-year-old girl, who was shuttled between foster care and relatives. According to the author, she was sexually abused by the husband of one of her siblings. This resulted in Molina-Marshall becoming alienated and moody. By 15, she simply tried to survive. In her favor were grit and a restless intelligence. She quit school, rented a room, and found a factory job. Time went by, and for a while she was happily married. Yet when her husband left her, her life truly began. She turned to religion for answers but decided that blaming God for her woes was a cop-out. 

In this absorbing and moving memoir, Molina-Marshall’s vivid storytelling is fearless. She frankly discusses the truths she discovered and the indignities she suffered. These admissions are disclosed with a touch of resignation and plenty of bite. However painful, everything she experienced was a lesson, and she bravely realized that she was part of the problem: “The fear of being hurt, rejected, or abused often led to me feeling lonely and misunderstood. No one knew the agonizing pain I felt being trapped in my thoughts and anger. I was becoming my biggest threat.” 

The author skillfully recounts her intricate spiritual journey. To deal with her psychic wounds, she searched for an inspirational system. Her open-mindedness led her to the interfaith concept—cherry-picking from various religions and spiritual movements, yoga, and Indigenous beliefs as a way of finding peace. Along with her female partner, she built a therapy practice, making use of every spiritual element that aided her and others. The road was bumpy, and she found that women of color in same-sex relationships were not welcomed everywhere. To do good works—and finally live on her own terms—she effectively overcame bigotry.

An engrossing, cathartic account of empathy and success through determination and confidence.

Pub Date: May 3, 2022   |    ISBN: 978-0-578-38315-6  |   Page Count: 264    | Publisher: From Trauma to Triumph  |   Review Posted Online: June 13, 2022