Beauty for Ashes | Karyn Harper

Deana Brown Mitchell: Hi there, it's Deana at The Realized Foundation. And today I'm here with Karyn. And I'm so excited that Karen is going to be in Book Three, which is coming out very soon. And I want you Karen, to tell everybody a little bit about what you wrote. What is your chapter about?

Okay, so my chapter is basically, about my life. It's about me. And the title of my chapter is feeling her actions. And it's also the title of a song that has meant a lot to me over the years. And it's also the title of a book that I read. years ago, that actually was the catalyst. Sure. Starting me down the road to recovery from my abuse issues. Yeah. And I could, I could talk for hours about what just the title Beauty for Ashes means to me. But I guess, all I can really say is that, if you really want to know what the title theory crashes means to me, you have to read my chapter.

Deana Brown Mitchell: It is, it's hard to explain kind of what some of the chapters are about, because they're so deep in some ways. And also, what surrounds the words that you don't see is also another big part of the picture. And so I really appreciate that you shared your story in this book, because I know, it's going to help people in the world that have gone through similar things. And I'm really proud of you.

Thank you. I just want to say quickly, I guess the most important thing that that I can really say is that this is how I actually start, start off my chapter. That by saying that, no matter what happens in your life, no matter what you've been through, there is hope. And you're going to be okay. And there's absolutely nothing that can happen to you, in this light that you can't get through. And I am a living, you know, testimony to that. I've been through things in my life, that I never, I never thought that I will ever be able to get through anything. Anything like that. But I'm still here. And I'm still, you know, I'm able to talk about today. And I'm here today so that I can do talk about it, and help others and be a light and be a beacon of hope for others.

Deana Brown Mitchell: Thank you, Karyn. And then I am glad you're here. And I'm glad I got to meet you. And I'm glad that we've had so many conversations and zoom rooms. But I want to ask you one more question. And that's, you know, how has this book project of scars to stars helped you personally? And, you know, was it the community or writing your story or what was most helpful to you? So do this project

That's not really deep. And you know that it was really tough for me, because it wasn't necessarily well received by, by everyone. And, you know, I had to do some editing. And I really had to come to terms with some things within myself and realize that my storing is my story. And that whether anyone else believes it, or whether anyone else sees my story will lay I lived my story doesn't change my story, my story is always going to be my story. That is true, no. And nothing that anyone else can say, is ever going to change that. And it was really, really hard for me to accept that. Not everybody saw things the same way than I did. Even though they may have lived it with me. They didn't really live it with me. They may have grown up in the exact same household under the exact same roof. But they were not wearing the same skin that I was wearing. And they were not walking in nice shit. Yeah.

Deana Brown Mitchell: And I do, I do know that this process has been hard for you in many ways. And I also know there's another person in this book with you, that has a similar story about how her life was harder than someone else under the roof. And I think that it's true, we all have our own experiences and our own memories and our own trauma to, to deal with. And, and nobody can feel what we feel or understand what we understand. And I think that's part of why your your story is so important, because there's other people in the world who have been through something like that, and someone in their life that was either responsible or part of it or anything like that. And I don't know anybody else in the story, but you so I'm only talking about your perspective, not anyone else.

Like what and what I'm saying to you right now. If someone in my family ceases, they might get offended. They might get hurt, they might get upset. And I might have to deal with that.

Deana Brown Mitchell: Fortunately, you've already had to deal with that. And I want to say that you're you are strong and brave and courageous, too. Do what you're doing because I think it's not only about a story in a book that is going to help a lot of other people. It's about a story that you lived through and world and are trying to heal from. And I think that's important. It's really important because if we don't talk about it, and we don't put words on paper and we don't have the conversations, we can't heal from it. And I just want that for you. I don't care. You know, if you use words that to, to keep from hurting someone else, because obviously that's not our that is not our mission to hurt other people in the process. But you know, you have to be responsible for your healing, and every other person in the world has to be responsible for theirs. And whether the points of view lined up or not, you know, everybody has to deal with their own internal trauma and healing. And I think you have put a lot of effort into that Karyn

wounds while kneeling, I help. And I'm not done yet.

Deana Brown Mitchell: Now new at wherever done right. But the progress is, I've seen progress in you. And I know how hard you've worked to get where you are, and I'm proud of you. And you deserve to be happy and you know, have more fulfillment in your life.

Thank you again.

Deana Brown Mitchell: Is there any last thing as you would like to share or say to anyone?

Just keep calling one quote, retire the other and take it one day at a time. That's all. That's all any of us can do. Now, that's, that's all we had today.

Deana Brown Mitchell: That is very true. Well, I just want to thank you for having this conversation with me.

I thank you for seeking me out and inviting me to be part of the little spot

Deana Brown Mitchell: Well you're welcome, and I can't wait for people to read your story and hear how it helps them.

I'm excited to see what you guys gonna do with this book

Deana Brown Mitchell: Me too. So if you're listening to this, the book will be out on September 22 2023. And you'll also be able to hear Karen on our podcast in the coming weeks and we hope to see you maybe at our book launch event. So I hope you have a great day. And remember you ladder you are enough and you are worthy.