Just a Girl
Our Challenge to Heal Childhood Trauma
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I am going to tell personal truths here. Personal truths that may cause you to want to put this book down, and that is all right. Societal truths that may cause you to open your eyes, because young people are choosing to fix their own pain by ending their own lives or harming others as they have been harmed. This is a story of my own personal journey toward healing from sanctuary trauma. I had to make radical decisions way before I ever became an adult. They were not always healthy decisions, but enough of them were, so I saved my own life . . . with a little help. I am lucky to be alive, frankly. It is my intent is to share my walk and how it is possible for you to heal and be happy while healing. My intent is not meant to say what you should or should not do, or for medical, spiritual, physical, or mental health advice. It is just my way of sharing. It is a call for you to think about what your own personal journey might be and, while on that journey, that you do no harm to yourself or to others in your midst. I personally invite you to come on this journey with me—I promise it has a happy conclusion, as I am here sharing my story. I wrote this for you.
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About the Book
“Sanctuary Trauma”, in other words, trauma caused by those closest to us in our home environment, where we are supposed to be safe, often goes undetected. This is a story about how it is possible to embrace our childhood wounds that have shaped us and redefine our story moving into adulthood, so we do not pass on abusive cycles within our own home. She also names out the challenges we may have to reach out to those children who are hurting and who need us most when their home environment is in chaos. To challenge the old story of “What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”. This book takes you on a journey, a soul journey. First, to understand the dynamics of an unsafe home and how it can affect a child’s perception of life through the eyes of Karen’s shared experience; and secondly, to understand the effort it takes to move out of the path of being a victim to an empowered path of being your truest self. Karen encourages others to take this journey with her, to seek understanding, and to reflect on your own life’s journey toward healing. and ultimately to change the story of your life.
About the Author
Karen Harden shares her internal conviction of how we all can end generational cycles of abuse within the family environment. She shares the intuitive paths she chose in a world and time when silence was the first and only response to trauma in the home. She combines both her challenges and insights into the value of forgiveness, healing, self-care, and kindness. She intertwines it with stories of her longtime career as a volunteer and professional in the non-profit sector embracing and inspiring young people to summon their resilient nature. She also touches on her recent adventure walking the woods and mountains of the Appalachian Trail. Karen has been an advocate, volunteer, director, program developer, grant-writer and fund-raiser for youth programs locally, statewide, and nationally. She has two grown sons, three grandchildren and currently resides in Northern Wisconsin.