Encore: Healing from an Act of Violence• Forgiving Your Perpetrator

Megan's Story: Twenty years ago, on a beautiful Monday afternoon in Portland, Oregon,  Megan was violently attacked and sexually assaulted by a stranger. It was luck that saved her life, but the emotional wounds carried on for years to follow. In this episode, Megan bravely shares her story and the tools she used to navigate this random act of violence. Today, in her big, full life, she is free from the power he had over her, and she has come to a place of total forgiveness. Interested in forgiving your perpetrator? If you want to contact Megan please write to me first and I will put you in touch Weekly Challenge: This is straight from Megan’s toolbox: Write a fear list and then (plot-twist) write a gratitude list twice as long! I love this challenge. I always say that I don’t “gratitude-list my way out of feelings,” but I use them to get a more balanced view of reality. When our fears are raging, we often lose sight of what’s real—gratitude can help. Give it a try and tell me what you think. Follow me @sheajackie for weekly challenge updates. Discussed in this episode: Acts of ViolenceSexual assaultTrusting your InstinctsAdrenaline/ shockPTSDfearTherapySelf-judgment / negative self-talkAsking for helpHow to identify your feelingsWritingGriefForgiving your perpetratorWalking through the painAcceptanceAnger and how to let it outExpressing feelings in a productive wayDating after sexual and physical trauma Resources Mentioned: Gratitude Hal Elrod Support this podcast: Subscribe/rate/review on itunes or on your podcasting platformFollow me @sheajackie on IGFollow me at www.jackieshea.comShare with your friends! Other episodes like this; - Latisha Singletary Life After Parlysis victim of random act of violence.