Amber Jewell - Finding Hope: The 12 Keys to Healing Hardship, Hurt & Sorrow

T HERE ISNT a one-size-fits-all answer to the hard- ships that people face, but there are core principles that are true for everyone. Amber Jewell, former victim of severe childhood abuse, former foster child, social worker, educator, and foster and adoptive mom, has cracked the code on the twelve keys that are foundational to healing.

The National Council for Behavioral Health estimates that 70 percent of adults in the United States have experienced some form of trauma. Thats more than 220 million people. Trauma occurs when a person is overwhelmed by events or circumstances and responds with intense fear, horror, or helplessness. Extreme stress overwhelms a persons capacity to cope. It has been well established that people who have experienced trauma are at higher risk of physical health conditions such as diabetes, COPD, heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure.

The effects of trauma hold us back in our lives. People who have experienced severe trauma are less likely to step out of their comfort zones to pursue advanced education, start businesses, or to seek happiness and personal fulfillment. Worse, they are more likely to self-medicate through substance abuse, to suffer from depression, or to attempt suicide.

Before founding the Successful Survivors Foundation, I met too many adult victims of childhood mistreatment who were held back by the invisible chains of feeling like they didnt deserve happiness and the personal and professional success that was well within their ability to attain. Sadly, too many people have a vague sense that they dont deserve the good things of this life. I recognized it because I used to be one of them.

If only Id had Ambers book when I emancipated from the foster care system when I was 16... Had I known then what Amber shares here, I would have made better decisions which would have led to better outcomes. I would have made fewer mistakes. I would have had many more years of happiness.

Everything eventually worked out beautifully for me, but not until after I forfeited forty years of happiness. I eventually stumbled onto the rich lessons that Amber shares here, but my wish for everyone who has experienced hardship is to learn, embrace, and absorb the hard-won wisdom that Amber shares here sooner rather than later.

This book is a priceless gem of healing and restoration for everyone who has ever gone through hard times, especially those who have been mistreated. It will also be helpful for all the mental health professionals who seek to help those who struggle to deal with the painful events of their lives.

I hope that everyone who reads this book will come to enjoy the many years of happiness, peace, good relationships, health, and financial provision that accompany real success. Real success is what people can expect when they embrace and incorporate these fundamental concepts into their lives.

R HONDA S CIORTINO , founder of Successful Survivors Foundation, and author of Succeed Because of What Youve Been Through and 30 Days to Happiness