If you’re listening, you’ve probably been through some significant challenges in your life—maybe childhood trauma, adult trauma, or even what I’d call omission trauma, where there was a lack of love, emotional support, or severe neglect. These experiences can be completely debilitating, leaving us frozen in complex post-traumatic stress and barely able to function. But here’s the thing—I believe there’s good that can come out of the bad. Through these challenges, strengths, qualities, and resources can...
If you’re listening, you’ve probably been through some significant challenges in your life—maybe childhood trauma, adult trauma, or even what I’d call omission trauma, where there was a lack of love, emotional support, or severe neglect. These experiences can be completely debilitating, leaving us frozen in complex post-traumatic stress and barely able to function. But here’s the thing—I believe there’s good that can come out of the bad. Through these challenges, strengths, qualities, and resources can develop.
I’ve had the privilege of working with so many amazing people who have been through incredibly difficult experiences, and yet, they’re here. They’ve managed to survive, to drag themselves through those ordeals, and they’re determined to heal and grow. It’s remarkable, isn’t it? These qualities of strength, wisdom, empathy, courage, and will—they’re what I call the “gifts of trauma.” They don’t come easy, and they don’t come cheap, but they become part of who we are, our “soul personality.”
Sometimes we get stuck in thinking, “This shouldn’t have happened. This is all bad.” And yes, a lot of things happen that aren’t even in the soul blueprint—there’s a lot of free will, and things go wrong. But we can make good out of bad; we can make lemonade out of lemons. And I feel so privileged to work with people who, despite terrible origins, turn it around to be stronger, to be better parents, or to have the courage to show up and seek help.
If you’re listening to this, maybe you’re one of those people who have the strength to catalyse trauma into these remarkable qualities. Not everyone can do this. But those who can, who have the maturity to hold it and own it, develop a resilience that’s extraordinary. It’s like a sword being tempered by flames and hammered on the anvil into a fine blade. And at the core, underneath all the messy residue, is this incredible strength. Just being here, listening, is a testament to the strength you’ve acquired through those struggles.
In the next episode, I’ll unpack another one of these soul warrior qualities. Join me.
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I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and creator of Awaken Therapy. I have trained in and developed various powerful modalities to make your childhood trauma healing journey as safe and manageable as possible. I know the courage and persistence required for profound change, so I offer patient, caring support in all my connections.
I believe you deserve to have access to powerful, effective tools, techniques and supports in timely and affordable ways.
Alongside individual sessions, I have committed myself to providing you with a variety of affordable tools and courses. Each course is filled with practical education, powerful tools and accessible aids you can begin to use right away.
Disclaimer: this episode is for education and information purposes only. It does not constitute individual advice and the information contained may not be applicable or appropriate for everyone. If you need support, consider seeking individualised support from a qualified health professional.
