Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we carry—and the ways we learn to move through it—can define who we become. We asked community members from a broad array of industries to reflect on their defining wounds and have shared the responses below.
Nathan Spiteri
The defining wounds of my life were years of child sexual abuse from 8 to 13 years old. as a result I suffered through violence, addictions, drugs and sex. I was unable to hold a relationship and a job, sabotaging all that came my way. The way I healed from these wounds was three main points. Understanding that it wasn’t my fault. Read more >>>
Michelle Feldman
My journey of healing, was activated by a traumatic marriage/divorce and lead to creating art as a way to connect to myself, community, and the universe, ultimately living my happiest life. Read more >>>
Kristen Herrington
I love this question because it feels like I’m right in the middle of a defining wound moment in my life. For the past three years, I’ve owned and operated a community art gallery called Togetherland. It’s been a space for connection, creativity, and storytelling. A place where people came to make art, share music, and feel a sense of belonging. Read more >>>
Tisha Janigian
Experiencing the difficulties of navigating a broken system as a newly single mother was both eye-opening and terrifying. Overnight, I went from having stability to starting over with no money, no credit, no assets, and just a suitcase for each of my sons and I. Looking at their faces, I knew I had no choice but to rise above the fear. Read more >>>
Tammy Kaitz
When our son was 14, he was dx with stage 3 cancer. I lived with him at Children’s Hospital during his cancer battle. So many children did not survive… Even after our son’s remission, every pore on my body from head to toe was about, consumed with pediatric cancer and the scary path we had just walked. My brain thought about kid cancer 24/7. Read more >>>
iblamealiyah
I’d say heartbreak. I can’t really think of anything else. I don’t care much for anything else. Losing the people that I care for, however, is probably what pains me the most. You know, as strange as it sounds, when I love, I do love. And for me love isn’t temporary, it’s a forever feeling that never truly goes away. Read more >>>
SEKTOR 8
Without going into full detail, one of the biggest lessons in my life has been to be very mindful of the people you allow close to you. The energy of the people around you becomes the energy you carry and reflect back into the world. That’s true for family, friends, relationships, anyone you keep close. Read more >>>
