Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we carry—and the ways we learn to move through it—can define who we become. We asked community members from a broad array of industries to reflect on their defining wounds and have shared the responses below.
Samantha Sumpter
I’ve dealt with the wounds of life by choosing healing over hiding. Through therapy, I’ve learned to face my pain with honesty and compassion, to understand my patterns, and to grow through self-awareness rather than self-judgment. I’ve also leaned deeply into my tribe — the people who remind me that I don’t have to carry everything alone. Read more>>
Paulina Simone Quisol
Great question, I’ve made it my life’s goal to share my testimony with others and to tell the story of how God worked through my trauma..no matter how dark it’s been. Ultimately, I’m better because of it. (Romans 8:28) I’m working on writing a book, so I’ll condense everything here. Read more>>
Adriana Michima
My childhood was very traumatic and chaotic. I did not have the power to change any of my circumstances so I turned inward to escape the pain through drawing. I also enjoyed finding inspiration in the woods that surrounded one of the many places we lived in the south. Read more>>
Steve A Klein
My primary wound was taking forever to learn anything. I had to fight to finish high school and college with a B- average. I never realized I had a learning disability, partially because I had never heard that term before. I can remember as far back as grade school when the teacher presented new information, I could rarely comprehend it. Read more>>
Rebecca Bystrom
Near Death Experience may be the biggest life moment, the recovery after an experience not many will ever understand what one goes through at the time of duress and death. Partnered with the physical injuries: Head Trauma, fractured skull and C-PTSD. I thank my lucky stars every night that I am still alive. Despite the recovery, I love to speak & overshare on this topic. Read more>>
Beverly Browning
The defining wounds of my life have been: -Taking 12 years to complete community college degree requirements. I was a teenage bride, but not a teenage mother. Staying focused on my education had paid off decade after decade, helping me heal the trauma of becoming a long-standing fixture at the community college. Read more>>
