In the survivor community, forgiveness is a hot topic. Ask ten survivors and you’ll get an enormous debate about the pros and cons of what it means to forgive. Facing such questions as, “What does it mean if I forgive the offense? Should I forgive? Am I a bad person if I don’t?” trauma survivors struggle to make peace with the past while not betraying themselves.

It can seem completely unfathomable to forgive the abuser/perpetrator after a trauma. However, studies have shown that forgiveness can produce real effects in helping make peace with the past. Each survivor must make the choice that feels appropriate for him/her. On this show we hope to provide information that assists survivors in make the decision they face.

In this episode of ‘Your Life After Trauma’ we had two guests talk about forgiveness and its role and impact in post-trauma healing. Our guests shared their philosophies about how they cope and move forward.

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Meet My Guests:

Social entrepreneur Leo Abdella is the executive producer and host of The Circle of Trust, a weekly reality talk radio show on SeaView Radio.  The Circle of Trust is based on the concept, that we all have an inner-circle whom we desire to associate with and do business with, but our Circle of Trust can and should be expanded to increase our circle of influence.

Leo is passionate about the lifelong journey of personal development and joins a worldwide movement of leaders who are committed to making a difference in society. Leo ascribes to the theory that positive social, economic and governmental change cannot be simply legislated; but instead, it grows from dozens, hundreds, thousands and someday millions of individuals saying no to greed and injustice and embracing ethical personal and business standards. Once those practices are in place, positive, life-affirming societal change cannot help but follow.

Leo has served as Director of Outreach Ministries at Christ Fellowship Church since May 2001.  Recently he was named Director of Community Relations, building on his life skills of 25 years as an entrepreneur and 10 years a social entrepreneur in the nonprofit sector. He also serves as Past Chairman at the Stand Down House Homeless Veterans Facility plus several additional causes and organizations listed on his personal website:  www.LeoAbdella.com

Leo has been involved in national and international disaster relief beginning in 1999 with the Kosovo Crisis, the World Trade Center attack in New York City and the Tsunami in India and Sri Lanka along with hurricanes in Florida and the Gulf States. He strives is to engage community volunteers to serve as “Ambassadors of Compassion” on the front lines of need.

Heather Nicole Freely, founder of the Facebook group: Rape and Incest Survivors – A place to realize you aren’t alone & to provide support. Only survivors know what it’s like to live with the memories & PTSD that has lifelong effects on us. Heather’s facebook group is a place to vent & offer support. Heather believes that helping others helps us deal with our memories, even though they don’t go away, we can lessen how much they effect our lives.