Growing Pains.

Using Suffering and Past Pain to Change Your Life’s Trajectory for Growth and Healing

Suffering is sadly an inevitable part of the human experience, but what we do with that pain can define the course of our lives. For some, the wounds of trauma become insurmountable barriers. For others, like Hope Daniels, those same wounds serve as the catalyst for profound growth and healing. Hope, a Sunday Times bestselling author and guest on the Brave New Girls podcast, shares her powerful journey of turning her suffering into a pathway for transformation.

Hope’s childhood was marred by abuse, neglect, and instability. Raised in a chaotic home with alcoholic parents, she was placed into care, where she believed she would finally find safety. However, her time in care exposed her to new layers of trauma, including sexual exploitation and emotional pain. It would have been easy for Hope to be defined by these experiences, trapped in a cycle of addiction and despair, but she chose a different path.

Hope’s story teaches us that pain doesn’t have to dictate the trajectory of our lives. While we cannot erase our past, we can reshape its influence on our future. In Hope’s case, the turning point came through therapy and self-reflection. It was in confronting her past that she found the strength to rewrite her story. Therapy helped her process her pain, challenge the harmful narratives she had internalized, and ultimately, create a new narrative that focused on healing and advocacy.

Hope’s transformation wasn’t instantaneous; it took years of hard work, setbacks, and perseverance. But through it all, she recognized that the suffering she had endured could become a source of strength. By acknowledging the pain rather than running from it, she was able to not only heal but also empower others who had experienced similar traumas.

One of the most powerful lessons we can learn from Hope’s journey is that suffering, while painful, can be a force for growth. When we face our pain head-on, we begin to understand that it doesn’t have to hold us captive. In fact, our deepest wounds can become the very tools that shape us into stronger, more compassionate individuals.

Hope now uses her experience to advocate for young people in the care system, shining a light on the need for better protection and support. Her past, once a source of shame and hurt, has become her platform for change. She exemplifies how it is possible to take control of your narrative and use your experiences, no matter how painful, as a foundation for growth and healing.

While we cannot choose the pain that life throws at us, we can choose how to respond. Hope’s story reminds us that no matter how broken we may feel, healing is possible, and through that healing, support & guidance, we can create a future full of purpose, stability and resilience.

Young Living Essential Oil Blend: Pain to purpose

• Young Living offers several essential oil blends that are designed to support emotional well-being, help with personal growth, and assist in navigating through pain and suffering to find safety and purpose. Here are some blends that might be helpful:

  1. Valor®: This blend is often used to inspire feelings of strength, courage, and confidence. It can be beneficial when facing difficult emotions or working through challenging situations.

  2. Release™: This blend is formulated to help with the release of anger and frustration, promoting emotional balance and letting go of negative experiences.

  3. Forgiveness™: This blend can assist in letting go of emotional wounds, offering support in the process of forgiveness—both towards others and oneself.

  4. Inner Child™: This blend is designed to reconnect with your inner self, which can be particularly healing when working through past trauma and emotional pain.

  5. Peace & Calming®: This blend is known for its ability to create a peaceful environment and may help soothe anxious feelings and promote emotional relaxation during stressful times.

  6. Trauma Life™: Specifically created to help deal with emotional trauma, this blend is intended to support the process of recovery and healing from deeply rooted emotional pain.

  7. Transformation™: This blend is useful for fostering positive change and transforming negative emotions into positive ones, helping to shift the mindset from pain to growth.

  These blends can be used in various ways, such as diffusing them, applying them topically (diluted as needed), or incorporating them into meditative or therapeutic practices. Each blend has specific properties that can support emotional well-being, aiding in the journey from suffering to a place of safety, purpose, and healing. I am a Brand Partner with Young Living if you wish to order these oil blends.

Do you want to join our next Brave New Girls Wellbeing Growth Retreat? Get in touch .

Talk to Lou Hamilton- Your Wellbeing Coach

10 Growth and Wellbeing Actionable Strategies for Becoming More Courageous & Resilient:

1. Acknowledge the Pain: Don’t bury your pain. Acknowledge it as the first step toward healing.

2. Seek Therapy: Professional help is crucial in processing trauma and gaining insights into past pain.

3. Find Purpose in Your Suffering: Use your experiences to drive positive change in your life and others.

4. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness as you navigate the healing process.

5. Surround Yourself with Support: Build a strong support system that uplifts and empowers you.

6. Redefine Your Narrative: Take control of your story. You are not defined by your past but by how you choose to move forward.

7. Set Boundaries: Protect your mental and emotional health by setting clear boundaries with people and situations that trigger your pain.

8. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge even the smallest steps forward in your journey to healing.

9. Learn from Setbacks: View setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures.

10. Advocate for Others: Use your experience to help others in similar situations, turning your pain into purpose.

Hope Daniels’ experience teaches us that suffering can be a powerful catalyst for growth and healing, leading us to courage and resilience.

If you have worries around life’s juggles & health challenges, and want to grow a healthier, happier life, work with your Wellbeing Coach Lou Hamilton who will guide you through the steps you need to take.

See which bespoke coaching package works for you & we can tailor them further to your growth needs.