We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melissa Lombardo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Melissa, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I found my purpose through healing from trauma by embarking on a profound journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
My journey to finding my purpose began with a traumatic event during my college years when I was sexually assaulted. For a long time, I coped by blocking out the trauma, disassociating to the point of feeling detached from the experience. Over the years, this unresolved trauma manifested in various health issues. It wasn’t just one illness but a myriad of ailments that my body took on as it bore the burden of my unhealed trauma.
A turning point came when I faced a significant life change: a diagnosis of stage one cancer, leading to a return to the United States after living abroad for over a decade. These experiences made me confront my health issues head-on, and I began to see the connection between my physical ailments and the trauma I endured.
Embarking on a journey inward and committing to active healing became the foundation of discovering my purpose. In the early stages of my healing process, I realized that I wanted to help others heal as well and later thrive. This led me to join a writer’s group and become a sexual assault crisis advocate.
Journaling became a therapeutic outlet. Through writing, I was able to process my emotions and experiences. This practice not only aided healing but also helped me find clarity and direction and later share my story with a larger audience and leave a legacy for future generations include my son, nieces, and nephews.
As I continued to heal, I found that my purpose extended even further. Finding my voice allowed me to turn my mess into a message and my pain into a purpose. In an act of mentoring my younger self and also supporting my current self, I realized I could providing others with the support and understanding I once needed.
I decided to write a book and create a performance piece about my journey of hurt, healing, and hope after sexual assault. I aimed to provide survivors and their supporters with tools for healing and ways to process their emotions through journaling and reflection.
Finding my voice and healing from past trauma has opened up a world of purpose and possibilities that I never imagined. I am now a published author and advocate, speaking out for the healing and thriving of others who have faced trauma. For this, I am profoundly grateful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Each of our voices is unique and powerful. I use mine to share my story, advocate for others, and support healing and thriving in those around me. Where I once hesitated to speak in public, I now look forward to opportunities to curate speeches and presentations that inspire others to take positive action in their own lives showing them that healing and thriving is possible and within reach.
Publishing my book, *Hurt, Healing, and Hope: Thriving Beyond Sexual Assault*, was a transformative experience. It allowed me to take control of a situation where I once felt powerless. Through this process, I found deeper healing and realized that we are not meant to suffer in life; rather, we are meant to live in joy. When I stopped resisting and started to heal and share my experience, I felt a profound shift.
At my core, I am an entrepreneur with a passion for social responsibility. This led me to found Write, Heal, Thrive, a social enterprise dedicated to helping individuals embark on or continue their journeys to healing, thriving, and achieve well-being. Write, Heal, Thrive offers a variety of resources, including books, materials, and speaking engagements.
It’s an exciting time for my Write, Heal, Thrive mission, as opportunities continue to unfold.
I recently embarked on a new project: co-authoring a book titled “Keys to Joyful Living”. This opportunity aligns perfectly with my goal of promoting healing and joy. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey and to witness the positive impact we can have on each others’ lives. I am also looking to expand my reach through various projects and collaborations with other like-minded individuals, businesses, and organizations.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities that have had the most impact in my journey are self-reflection, journaling, and continuous learning. These practices have not only facilitated my healing but also empowered me to help others on their paths to well-being and create a legacy for future generations including my son.
1. Self-Reflection
Self-reflection involves taking a deep, honest look at ourselves, our actions, and our experiences. It is the foundation of personal growth and healing. By reflecting on my thoughts and behaviors, I gained insight into how my trauma affected me and identified patterns that needed to change. One of the
Advice
For those early in their journey, start by setting aside quiet time each day to reflect. I find the best time to reflect is early in the morning as I stretch or meditate and also in the evening as part of my nightly routine. Self-reflection also happens throughout the day after experiences that may leave you wondering why you behaved the way you did. You can start by asking yourself open-ended questions like, “What am I feeling right now?” and “Why did I react that way?”
Be patient with yourself; self-reflection is a skill that develops over time. Don’t shy away from uncomfortable truths or behaviors, as they often lead to the most significant growth. You can incorporate your self-reflections into journaling, another major skill that has impacted my journey into healing and thriving.
2. Journaling
Journaling has been a key part of my healing process. I write for myself. Journaling provides a safe space to express emotions, process experiences, and track progress. Writing about my journey helped me make sense of my feelings and experiences, and it became a therapeutic outlet. I like to write letters to myself and look back at them years later. These letters form narratives over time that help me grow, see patterns, make changes, and even celebrate successes.
Advice
Begin with a simple practice of writing for five to ten minutes each day. Don’t worry about grammar or structure; just let your thoughts flow freely. Consider using prompts if you’re unsure where to start. There are different ways to journal. You can journal about your day, about your dreams, about what you are grateful for, about reactions you have had to certain events or occurrences in your life, and about ways you have grown from your past hurts.
If you are like me, you may find patterns and insights emerging from your entries. Journaling can be a powerful tool for clarity and self-discovery. When I am unsure about something, or have a particularly reflective experience I will write myself a note to journal about it later in the evening.
3. Continuous Learning
Embracing and being open to continuous learning has been essential for my personal and professional growth. I sought knowledge about trauma, healing, and resilience, which empowered me to understand my experiences better and to support others. Later on when I decided I wanted to form a small business and publish a book, I researched all the possibilities prior to beginning. It may have taken me a little longer but I was inspired and aligned and wanted an action plan that would achieve my purpose.
Continuous learning keeps us open-minded and adaptable, fostering a lifelong growth mindset.
Advice
Cultivate a habit of learning by reading books, attending workshops, or taking courses related to your interests and goals. Stay curious and open to new ideas. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone; the most profound learning often happens when we challenge ourselves. Remember that learning as is life, is a journey, not a destination.
In closing, take small steps and gradually build these practices into your routine.
Be patient and kind to yourself. Know that growth takes time and also personal effort. And just remember, You Got This!! You Can! You are Limitless.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho has deeply influenced my personal development. Two of the most valuable and impactful “nuggets of wisdom” that resonated with me were the concepts of “Maktub” and going after your personal Legend.
Maktub: It Is Written
The concept of “Maktub,” means “it is written,” “esta escrito” emphasizes the idea that our destiny is preordained. This doesn’t mean that we lack free will, but rather that the universe conspires to help us achieve our true purpose in life. This perspective has helped me trust the journey, even when faced with obstacles.
I read this book in Spanish in the time following the trauma of sexual assault and the concept gave me hope that I would someday live a life beyond my trauma. “Maktub” taught me to have faith in the process of life. The concept encouraged me to remain resilient and trust that every experience, positive or negative, is a step towards fulfilling my personal legend. I know I am meant to thrive and live a life of joy. I now understand that it was always meant for me and cannot imagine living any other way.
2. Pursuing Your Personal Legend
A central theme in the book, “The Alchemist” is the pursuit of one’s “Personal Legend,” “Leyenda Personal” or simplified as ones, “true purpose”. The main protagonist Santiago’s journey teaches us that listening to our hearts and following our dreams is essential to living a fulfilling life. The universe will support us when we are true to ourselves. It was only when I stopped resisting and began to journey inwards and heal for real that I was able to self-reflect and stay true to both me and my passions and goals. Inspired action and recognizing alignment motivated me to pursue my dreams, even when the path is uncertain or challenging and continues to do so.
I recommend reflecting on these lessons and find ways to integrate them into your daily life. You can do that through additional self-reflection, journaling, and continuous opening to learning.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melissablombardo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissablombardoauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Melissablombardoauthor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissablombardo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissablombardoauthor
- Other: https://linktr.ee/melissablombardoauthor
Image Credits
Alicia Ann Daw Eduardo Arias Cruz
