International Women's Day: Empowered Women Support & Empower Other Women
In celebration of #WomensDay2023 I want to take the time to honor each brave woman who has paved the way for other women. To recognize the amazing women who have been through the darkest of times. Yet, they continued to stay true to themselves.
These women are you and me. They may have experienced fierce opposition, brutal trials, and painful hardships. They may have suffered oppression, discrimination, and abuse of power in our society. As we reflect on history of women leaders, we can clearly see how countless women have radically shifted the collective experience for other women by joining together to make our voices heard.
To stand up for women's rights. To declare our freedom to vote. To proclaim the liberty for women to link arms and say, "I am woman. Hear me roar!"
"I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore Oh yes, I am wise But it's wisdom born of pain Yes, I've paid the price But look now much I've gained
I have to, I can do anything I am strong I am invincible
I am woman" ~ By Helen Reddy
When I ponder my past decade of who's supported me and empowered me to step into my life purpose as a published author, public speaker, and YouTuber, I'm grateful for my friends Beth Jones, an international speaker, author, and life purpose coach as well as Karen Malena,
an author, speaker, and my initial writing mentor.
To learn more about them and what they do, here are both of their websites: Beth Jones: https://www.bethjones.net/
Karen Malena: https://karenmalena.com/
Mere words cannot describe how thankful and blessed I have been by Beth and Karen who played a remarkable role in my life over 12 years ago. As an aspiring writer, Beth and Karen had believed in me and my writing skills. Even when I doubted my own ability to find my voice. Even when I had uncertainty about writing books and learning how to use my true stories on my YouTube channel.
Back in 2011 through 2013, I had worked with Beth Jones for life purpose coaching. She spoke words of edification and encouragement over me. She motivated me and inspired me to create my YouTube channel, which I did. Beth had confidently declared, "Dana, you are much more than a writer. You have many incredible stories within you. You are meant to write books and to share your true stories on YouTube. I believe in you!" That moment was my major turning point in life. When I trusted that God doesn't call the equipped. Instead, He will equip those who He calls. For such a time as this. To embrace my special talents, spiritual gifts, and soul purpose in life. To advocate for other women. To be a lighthouse of hope for other women who also yearn to step into their passionate purpose. To be the light for women who've struggled in the darkness. To walk hand in hand to support them, believe in them, and to guide them to live out their full potential. This month, March 2023, is my 12th year YouTube anniversary. What an amazing venture this has been for me. I have been stretched far outside my comfort zone over these past 12 years. Being a YouTuber has prompted me to upgrade my technical skills, to be open to learn something new, such as editing videos, and to have the courage to speak openly about my own traumatic experiences as well as my inspiring stories.
Today, I am very grateful for having the opportunity to meet all walks of life all over the world. I am thankful for being able to support, guide, and encourage other trauma survivors. I am in awe of how many people have reached out to me, who have shared their own personal experiences with me, and who have worked with me as a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, Book Coach, Life Purpose Coach, and Certified Master Energy Practitioner.
What stands out as another hallmark moment for me are the brave women on Twitter who shared their #MeToo story. In 2017, during the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal that went viral, there were countless women who encouraged me to share my true story about my child abuse and sexual assaults. While it was quite intimidating, I boldly posted what I had suffered as a little girl, as a teenager, and as a grown adult woman. It wasn't simply one sexual assault. For me, it was three different sexual violations by three different people at three totally different stages of my life.
It is not by coincidence that many of these other women on Twitter had not only experienced sexual abuse, but many of them had also suffered narcissistic abuse. They helped me to understand narcissistic personality disorder, gaslighting, and manipulation. The more I learned about narcissism, the more I clearly understood who had played the role as a narcissist and flying monkeys in my own life. By educating myself and gaining credible facts, I intentionally chose to recover from each of my traumatic experiences, including a dysfunctional family, child neglect and abuse, statutory rape, narcissistic abuse, sibling abuse, financial abuse, plus so much more.
Education is powerful! It puts us back into the driver's seat to become the CEO of our own health, lives, and deepest aspirations. It equips us to understand what trauma is, the common trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn response), and to navigate our trauma recovery.
One day at time. One breath at a time. Because there is hope for healing, peace of mind, and a brighter future for each of us.
The most accelerated healing happened when:
I wrote my fifth book, "Soul Cry: Releasing & Healing the Wounds of Trauma."
I went to school to become a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach in January 2021.
I started exploring energy healing in early 2021, which accelerated my healing.
I began professional training in Certified Energy Healing in July 2021, which I am now a Certified Master Energy Practitioner and offer remote energy healing sessions.
I wrote my sixth book, "Soul Rescue: How to Break Free from Narcissistic Abuse & Heal Trauma."
For those interested in my books listed up above, you may find them in paperback and an eBook on Amazon at these two links: Soul Cry: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085X3Z79S/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vp
There are many unique pathways for the trauma recovery. For me, the holistic modalities, professional education and training, writing my books, and doing energy work has been my biggest breakthrough in healing. I am eternally grateful for each path that has led me to become the empowered woman who I am today.
"A woman is like a teabag. You can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water."
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
As we celebrate International Women's Day, may each of us women choose to be the light in the darkness. Empower other women. Support other women. Stand up for all women. And to cheer each woman onward.
By doing so, we are sending a clear message: When women unit together, we are unstoppable. We are strong women who have changed our world in the most positive ways. We are marching to our own beat and drum. We are mothers, sisters, wives, friends, writers, entrepreneurs, speakers, designers, leaders, and changemakers. Most importantly, we are helping other women to not feel so alone. We are advocating on their behalf. We are celebrating each one of us and how far we have come. Cheers to each of you beautiful, courageous women!