S2:E27 – The Issue with Shame and Guilt ft. Lois Hollis

This week on Focused on Forward we talk with Lois Hollis. And there really is no better description for Lois's story than from her own website - "Once upon a time… Shame and guilt came to stay with Lois and became her uninvited guests. However, they overstayed and refused to leave. They told her many lies. Shame and guilt said to her that she was stupid and would not amount to anything because she stuttered and couldn’t read. They said she deserved beatings and needed to do penance for being a bad child. Lois tried to silence them, but they only grew stronger. Despite the shame/guilt bullies, Lois had many career successes. Nevertheless, the shame and guilt intruders deepened her depression and added physical distortions to her body. She developed severe scoliosis with heart, liver, and lung disease, as well as childhood skull and rib traumas. Lois held firm to her inexhaustible spirit that knew a way to heal but not to her, yet. Soon she realized that shame and guilt did not belong to her but influenced her feelings, thoughts, and body. They used a disguise to hide, and she unknowingly lived in the prison of mediocrity and defeat. They changed her passion into anger and her love into hate. Lois decided to take control. She befriended her emotions and earned their trust. She realized that shame and guilt made her and her emotions miserable. Her emotions supported her. Shame and guilt sabotaged her. She wants everyone to know that “shame and guilt are not ours to own or give.” Each one of our emotions, either happy or sad are ours." In this Episode we talk with Lois about overcoming her abuse, both physically, emotionally and mentally. We talk about the work she is doing now as as counselor and educator, helping people overcome their backstory to have a happier and brighter future. For more on Lois Hollis - please visit her website www.loishollis.com

Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co