Spring

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Dear Reader, as we shed our layers of winter’s worries, let us embrace spring’s sensitivity.  The colors, the smells and ambiance of walking through a garden filled with flowers brings our senses into heightened enlightenment.  This is our perception of spring coming into fruition.  Have you ever studied a flowers progression?  As spring approaches the brittle bud begins to come forth and sprout its desirous petals symbolizing growth and prosperity.  Isn’t that how life is?  Out of ashes of disappointments, our natural buds of opportunities suddenly arise when we persevere and don’t give up.  There is a grace in being knocked down to our knees and still looking up to the skies for direction and strength.  Spring has a way of pushing us in that direction.  We have to prepare for lighter weight of clothing as the weather changes in our surrounding environment.  In doing this physical ritual, don’t you feel a sense of exuberance of the new possibilities coming your way?  A new beginning appears; another chance is given to do this life thing differently and better than last year.  Spring symbolizes new life as the trees and flowers grow anew, so does our outlook.  Take a moment during your busy schedule to stand still and close your eyes.  Listen to your heart on what the universe is directing you to hear and feel.  What new challenges come to mind to embark on?  Who should you talk to; where should you go; what skills do you need to work on?  This is your time to excel into your new season.  

Embrace the new sun and allow it to warm your life’s flowers so new buds can sprout and you move to your next adventure on your journey.   Happy Spring.

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