Have you ever seen a fountain, took out a coin, made a wish, and tossed the penny into the clear water? Fun fact: this practice originated with the Greeks, who believed that gods gave the water in wells to the people as a gift. A highly intelligent, yet also superstitious, lot, the Greeks were the first recorded to make wishes: they blew out birthday candles because they thought that smoke carried desires to the gods. When they made wishes, either by tossing pennies into the wells or by blowing candles out on a birthday cake, they walked away hoping that those desires would be granted. Breathe, my oldest daughter, and I spend a lot of time talking politics: we hope the candidate we most trust will win. If you’re from my home state of Tennessee, you might spend an entire season hoping the Titans will win.

Expectation. See, to me, true hope is not a wish: it’s something different. The definition of hope is: “a feeling of optimism based on the EXPECTATION of positive outcomes.” The key word here is “expectation.” The origin of the word “expectation” is from the Latin word ‘expectationem’ which means “an awaiting.” So, then, hope, in it’s truest definition, isn’t a wish: it’s a confidence that something positive is going to happen: it’s simply awaiting the fulfillment of that positive outcome. It’s rooted in a certainty that positive things are coming, that there’s a reason to celebrate.

Remembering the certainty behind hope isn’t easy when we’re hurting. When we are hurting, and in the middle of trauma, trusting that the hero who lives within us will indeed guide us into a brighter tomorrow might feel impossible. The hope, the certainty that the pain will pass, that can motivate us to get up each morning suddenly feels…. more like a wish. Less of a sure thing. Unless you learn to rely on and trust the hero within you regularly, it can be hard to find when you most need it. I very firmly believe that each person has been given a special gift, a “hero”, that can help us withstand every storm. The space to recognize the strengths within yourself, hear your story in that of someone else’s, so that you might know you’re not alone, and accept the dare to trust yourself offers freedom.

Offering the HERO workshop is my way of connecting with others, and sharing with others ways to find the hero with themselves. It’s highly interactive with participants creating a meaningful piece of art, includes a reading of one of the stories, spotlights survivors of sexual abuse sharing their stories because knowing you’re not alone can inspire a sense of safety and community, and offers practical coping strategies for dealing with trauma. This workshop is my heart. It’s about connection, inspiration and creating a sense of hope: that certainty that we will find brighter days ahead.

Everyone’s welcome. I believe in community and connection. I believe in the power of creativity to propel healing. And I believe in you. If you’re a survivor of any type of sexual abuse, this is for you. If you’re the family or friend of a survivor, this is for you. If you are moved by the trauma survivors have endured and want to help raise awareness, this is for you. If you’ve never been sexually assaulted, but aren’t sure hope is or ever has been real, this is for you. Everyone’s welcome: it is a completely free, three-hour virtual event that will spark conversation, ignite hope, and awaken heroes. Signing up is as easy as completing the form below!

Stories matter when they spark laughter, invite tears, inspire strength, and motivate hope. Join me for a night of connection, remembrance, creativity and celebration.