Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence.
– Peter A. Levine, American psychotherapist

Contributed by Nancy Rosenow, retired CEO of Dimensions Foundation and former Publisher of Exchange Press.

In her bestselling book, Happiness is Running Through the Streets to Find You: Translating Trauma’s Harsh Legacy Into Healing, Holly Elissa Bruno provides a road map for how challenging times in life can be transformed to resilience. That resilience can lead to a more joyful life.

Especially in today’s world where everyone experienced at least some level of trauma during the Covid pandemic not long ago, Holly Elissa’s words bring comfort and support:

“Paradoxes…abound in trauma recovery. I accept that dynamic without understanding it. Paradoxes include…

• Because I am intimate with sadness, my heart knows joy.
• The more vulnerable I become, the stronger I am.”

Throughout her book, Bruno provides personal exercises for early childhood professionals to help them strengthen their own resilience so they can in turn help children strengthen theirs.