Running though darkness

“…some things cannot be bubble wrapped”

There is no moving through life without the journey sometimes containing devastating challenges.

Perhaps you will find my information strongly worded, but some things cannot be bubble wrapped.  I believe that in order to heal and help those in your life heal, we have to begin with proper understanding from an experienced point of view.

For the next few weeks, through excerpts from my new book, I will be discussing with you what certain traumas mean and provide a basic understanding on facing them.  My book,Running Through darkness: The Memoir of a spiritual warrior, will go in depth on this. It is my journey to healing and how I moved through darkness and pain to healing and hope.

Darkness to light

“The residual damage of abuse and violence does not simply disappear. With determination and commitment, we can, and we do learn ways, and find tools that support us in coping and overcoming the seemingly unbearable, crippling effects. I have been one of the fortunate survivors. Through Grace and the skillful support of therapists and healers of all stripes, I have learned to live with gratitude and hope. Over the years, bit by precious bit, I have managed to create the stable life I once dreamed of, the healthy relationships that I cherish, and the career that turned out be my calling. It is my deepest desire to pass along that hope to others who are struggling to have their own healthy and fulfilling lives. 

What follows are a few questions and answers to ponder, not only about the part of my life that is contained within these pages, but also the parts of your life that you may want to examine, confront, or develop.” 

Healing is a journey.

My hope is that what I share with you in the next few weeks will help give you a deeper understanding, realize that you are not alone in some of your struggles, relate to your loved ones in a better way , develop strong relationships, and most of all,  begin the true healing of moving from darkness to light.

As we walk this path together, please know that I am with you in this journey.  Feel free to share your thoughts with me and let me know how I can support you in your life.

Be well, Be Blessed

Santa

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