Almost everything is multisided – including the occurrences that give us pain. So, we asked some of the most enlightened folks in the community to share how they have harnessed their pain to help rather than hurt them.
Ishqa Hillman
Honestly, I think I’ve always turned pain into power, even before I had the words for it. My childhood was filled with trauma—I experienced abuse in every form before the age of five. For a long time, I didn’t even recognize how much pain I was carrying because it had become my normal. About ten years ago, cannabis became a turning point for me. Read more>>
Sam Russell
After a Giving Closet surprise in Houston Texas, I reconnected with a dear old friend, Wendy Martin. Read more>>
KarenLee Poter
When my husband suddenly passed away I was understandably crushed. I acted on impulse, gathered my three kids and said, ‘We are still a family and we will be strong. Read more>>
Hannah Marie Muse
I successfully quit drinking alcohol 2 years ago. I had so much shame about my past, my life my work, my family.. you name it. I was closet drinking for a while and when I finally found a community of real a$$ people who could just listen without judgement, my world changed. I have such a beautiful life now! Read more>>
Karen Gonzalez-Torres
I stopped hiding my pain when I created Helping Hands Resource Center and Nurturing Lives. What I once carried quietly became the foundation of healing spaces, parenting education, and survivor-centered programs. My pain transformed into the power to lead, teach, and inspire change. Read more>>
Brittany Walda
I think the turning point for me was during COVID. Like many people, my world was turned upside down, and it forced me into a real look in the mirror moment. I realized I had been carrying so much shame, guilt, grief…and I couldn’t keep stuffing all of that down, no matter hope good at it I thought I was. Read more>>
Darlynn Childress
Being a rageful mom is very embarrassing. It’s something no one wants to admit because mothers aren’t ‘supposed’ to be angry. Mothers are supposed to be saints. There’s so much pressure around being a ‘good mom’ that when you’re failing at motherhood, the shame of that failure can keep you trapped in the same rage-regret cycle. Read more>>
Rachelle Austria
I feel most at peace during quiet moments of reflection, when I’m able to fully disconnect from the noise of the outside world and turn inward. For me, this usually happens after a long day and my social battery is almost empty. Read more>>
