I love to see a happy smiling baby! I sometimes marvel at the possibilities which lie ahead, and wonder what life will bring for that tiny innocent individual.
When I look at this photo of me it makes me smile to see how cheerful I am and how as I reach out I seem to be saying, “Hello world. Here I come! I’m ready to take on life with all its potential and promises!”
Thankfully I was completely unaware of what life was to bring. I didn’t know that at the age of 3 my mum was going to abandon me never to be seen again. Or that I would grow up with an abusive father who made my life a living hell leaving me with nightmare memories long after he died. Looking at my contented face it would be hard to guess that at 15 I would become an alcoholic to block out the pain of my childhood and that 20 years later the combination of depression and alcoholism would nearly kill me.
Then again, I could have reassured that child by telling her that after the storm came the calm. I could astound her and inspire with how I would survive and reclaim my faith and with it my life. That through sobriety I would be set free from the prison of my mind by forgiveness, honesty, serenity and joy.
How I wish I could have told that precious infant that she would find the courage to heal from rejection and would be able to love and be loved unconditionally.
Of course the awesomeness of a baby is its purity and its unblemished spirit. It can’t understand what the future could hold and doesn’t need to. But if I had the chance, I would have told myself, “No matter what happens, never stop reaching out. Grab everything wonderful the world has to offer!”
The Hurt Healer 
What an inspiration you are. I am impressed with you!
That’s very kind of you Cindy!
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Congrats on a beautiful start to your new blog Carolyn!
Thank you Helena!
Looks like you are getting off to a wonderful start with your new blog Carolyn. You will be a wonderful example for others. You are a winner.
Life can hand us a bad hand sometime, but we can alway turn it into something wonderful and positive and is sounds like that is what you have done. GOOD for you!
Thank you for sharing your story and I look forward to hearing more of what you have to say.
Gods blessings to you,
Debbie
Thank you Debbie for such wonderful comments! Turning something a negative situation into a postitive is one way of finding our strength through our weakness.
God Bless!
This is a wonderful piece Carolyn, thank you for sharing, perfect length and gets the point across! Thank you, Dan 🙂
Thanks Dan for your encouragement and support. Really appreciated 🙂
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and inspiring article. The beauty is the person that you have grown into and have embraced! Congrats!
And thank you Susan for such lovely comments!
As children we have no fear of rejection, but are open to all possibilities. Then something happens, we lose our ability to “let it go” and take on that negative image of ourselves.
All of us have been through things or have done things that we’re not proud of, BUT, (and this is a big BUT) It’s how you view yourself that makes all the difference in the world.
A great example that comes to mind is the movie “Little Miss Sunshine”. This little girl is full of love, energy and creativity, and because she didn’t have the same upbringing as the rest of the audience, she’s viewed as inappropriate when her intentions were pure. (Kids get it, and they don’t have all the weird stuff grown ups carry around with them)
If we could all be “who we really are”, let go of the NON-sense, Oh how free we would be! Happy, Healthy, & Guilt Fee! 🙂
Thank you for your insightful comments Jane! You are so right in that children have a different perception of the world and that can change into seeing things in a negative way.
And you make a good point that if we could be ‘who we really are’ its both our mind and body that benefit!
Wow! Great article. I praise God that He, by HIS power and strength, has pulled you through, shown you a better life, and brought you into a place of forgiveness, joy, and peace. May He continue to richly bless you!
Jessica Thank you! What beautiful comments and may God bless you richly too!
What sweet looking baby you were! Hm.., I wonder what I would say to myself as a baby! Good question for anyone to ask themselves so they can celebrate their achievements.
Thank you Sherry! And glad you make the point that its about celebrating the positive things that we have achieved.
Awesome Carolyn. I love to see or read stories of victory in people’s lives. It makes me happy!!! Woohoo! There is that certain ‘something’ inside of us looking for survival – and it’s always been hiding in there waiting to come out. So proud of you! YOU are an OVERCOMER!!! No longer being victimized, YOU are a VICTOR!!! xox
Norma your comments are so encouraging and helpful for me. Thank you so much for all your support 🙂
What a cracking start to your blog, Carolyn! You’ve walked a long hard path back to that happy confidence you exuded as a baby, and now you have so much to share
Thank you so much for your lovely comments Jenny! Looking forward to sharing some more!
What an amazing post. And I have to say thank you for sharing your story. We can learn from your experience, strength and hope! And, I love the look of your site-Bravo!!
I’m so pleased that you liked the new site and my post Lisa. I really appreciate your insight and enthusiasm when I share. Thank you!
Congratulations on your new blog! I agree with comments above – what a way to start! I look forward to reading and getting to know you better!
Thank you Mandy for your encouragement on my new blog. It’s great to be getting to know you too!
Yes, grab it all and take it in. Some of it might fall through your fingers but the good stuff will still be there.
You’re right Maria! Some of it will fall through your fingers but if it does it was probably not meant to stay in your life anyway!
i hope you keep telling that child inside that the storm will pass I keep telling myself.. it will pass.. it will pass !
Yes it will! Thanks for your kind comments!
Excellent concept for this post! I admire you and your work so much.
Thank you Sally! Your comments are very much appreciated!
I agree with Dorien, this was a superb start to your new blog. Really set the tone for how the Hurt Healer could relate to others that have been hurt. My heart ached for that precious bundle with her arms out knowing what was ahead of her. Great first post!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the first post Liz. Thank you for your encouragement!
Lovely post – so glad that you have found the brightness to hold onto after what you went through.
Thank you for your kind comments Kay. No matter how bad things can get, there is always hope!
Great article. It made me smile all the way! Feel like a new start! Thk you
So glad it made you smile Carele and that you feel like a new start! That’s great 🙂
What a great beginning for your blog and your story. I’m looking forward to reading more.
Thank you Marie! I’m looking forward to sharing more to sharing more with you!
I think this is such a generous first post and one that we can all relate to! Make sure you keep me informed as I know you will be a great addition to my new group 🙂
It’s such a delight to me to read that someone relates to what I am sharing. Thank you Anita! And thanks for thinking of me for your group 🙂
What a wonderful new start to your new blog, Carolyn. Just imagine how different things would have been if you could have gone back and told that precious little baby “No matter what happens, never stop reaching out. Grab everything wonderful the world has to offer!”…you are an inspiration and I love the way you write…great post!
Thank you Sherie for such kind comments. It always thrills me when someone tells me that they love the way I write. It’s taken a long time to believe in myself and my ability to write, so comments like yours make my day!
One of the healthiest (and most empowering) things we can do, Carolyn, is to go back in our minds to that baby … or however we see our inner child or childhood personna … and close the loop by making it clear that as adults we will never let her go through that again. That we are in charge now, are the responsible one and will provide the safety and security that was oh-so-absent during those years. (And, yes, we all have that forgiveness and loop-closing work to do …) Brava on your beautiful new site, that’s as shiny and optimistic as that baby with outreached arms!
Sharon, thank you for such insightful comments! Making the connection between our childhood and our adult life is something I will be exploring further on The Hurt Healer. I love your description of ‘loop-closing’!
The perfect picture and the perfect way to introduce yourself. You are amazing and inspiring. You will help many many people. God bless you!
Thank you for your positive comments Martha. They are truly appreciated!
Congratulations on your new blog! I’m so looking forward to reading your work on a regular basis — what you’ve written as guests posts on other blogs has been fantastic! And, I love your first post.
Thank you Lisa! Am looking forward to being able to share some insights and inspiration.
a wonderful post – and so inspiring to read all the obstacles you have overcome. You have much to offer hurting people, and I am glad you started this blog.
Thank you for such encouragement Susan. Everyone has been hurt at some point and I’m glad to be able to share something positive!
What a great way to start your blog. Can’t wait to read more about your life, your journey and your life lessons.
Thanks Dorien! It’s great to be starting a new blog and the anticipation of where it will lead.
I can totally relate to your article. There is so much I would say to me as a baby knowing what I know now.
Thank you for commenting Maggie. I’m so glad you could relate!