It’s Author Thursday on my blog! Today, meet Tambry Harris, a leadership and life coach, retreat leader and spiritual director who recently released a new book for survivors of sexual abuse and other trauma.

The book is called Awakening the Light: A Survivors to Thrivers Going-Forward Story.

A member of Spiritual Directors International and International Coaching Federation, Tambry holds a master’s in applied psychology. She also has certifications in spiritual direction, leadership coaching, diversity, and change management.

In addition, she blogs twice a month to offer encouragement and self-care ideas at her website, survivorstothrivers.com.

Learn more about Tambry through the links at the end of this interview.

—By Jessica Brodie

JB: Tell us about yourself and your faith journey. How did you get to where you are?

I was raised in The United Methodist Church. As I matured into adulthood, I wanted something deeper than Sunday school lessons, and I joined a group called Companions in Christ, which was a study by the Upper Room. I was hesitant because the study would go for several months and I was a working mother with a young daughter. This study was life altering for me because it allowed us to be vulnerable with each other and deepen our relationship with God. After that study, we explored several other of the Companions in Christ studies. Almost 20 years later and the Companions are still my spiritual anchor. Being a part of that group grew my heart to want to do more in the spiritual space. I found so much depth and joy in my expanded faith and I wanted that for everyone. I was currently a leadership coach and facilitated groups in team formation and I wondered what it would look like to apply a Christian lens to those skills that had been honed in me for 20 years in Corporate America. I found out about Spiritual Direction which was a practice that was well known in the Catholic faith but less known in the Protestant church. I went through a 2 ½ year certification program and now I absolutely love using all of me to help others explore their relationship with God.

JB: When did you know you wanted to become a writer?

I have always been someone who journaled when my thoughts ran deep. Often this happens after a devotion period or even a sermon. Other times it might be when something is heavy on my heart or a particular epiphany happens for me. This book was something that was put upon my heart by God and my past journal entries were very helpful as I sought to give details and express emotions.

JB: How does your faith influence your writing?

I am a huge believer in the whole of a person, mind-body-spirit. When I coach individuals, I encourage them to consider all aspects of their lives and to touch into their spiritual side. That comes through in my writing. As I share my story, I talk about how I made it through some very dark times and how important God was to me in all of those moments. I also talk about how my faith expanded my perspective and my life, and I pray to bring this hope to others.

JB: When did this particular story first start stirring in your heart?

Three years ago, the #metoo hands starting going up. I was proud of the women who found the courage to come forward and voice their trauma but I wondered how many were still stuck in survivor mode, not living their full lives. I lived that way for years until I was able to examine my limiting beliefs and unhealthy patterns and then claim my authentic, whole, beloved self. I founded the organization, Going Forward: Survivors to Thrivers to encourage women who have suffered abuse and may still find themselves stuck in less than whole lives. I developed retreats to help women do this healing work in sacred small groups. I then was asked to speak in a variety of venues (churches, universities, fund raisers) and I increasingly found my voice around my story. As women began to tell me they were encouraged to do their healing work because of what I shared, it prompted me to want to share more of myself. I also noticed that many women were hesitant to come forward into a group or even 1:1 setting to do their healing work and I thought perhaps they could start reflection in the privacy of their home with a book. This is how I seek to explain it:

As we make our own wounds visible and available, they can be of service to the healing of others. This story of wounding, struggle, and healing encourages survivors to claim their going‑forward stories. Tambry’s experiences, concepts, and heart shine light into the darkness that surrounds sexual abuse.

Section I invites the reader into the author’s story by asking reflection questions. Together, author and reader walk through the stages of forming, launching, evolving, awakening, claiming, and thriving.

Section II focuses on the reader’s exploration and moves through a mindful process of exploring the main character of the story, the reader, and seeing that person more holistically, maybe even more compassionately than ever before. The reader claims a vision for future life-giving chapters.

JB: What do you hope readers take away from this book?

First, I want readers to hear a loving voice encouraging them to claim their whole-selves. I want them to know that it is normal for us to develop these walls and limiting beliefs to protect ourselves from being hurt but we need to look to see if they are still serving us. (One of mine was to “stay small” so as not to be targeted.) Perhaps now it is time to grow beyond that belief to claim those things we desire and deserve. Happiness, freedom, peace, love, joy, authenticity, confidence. I share my story so they can see how this growth can happen and then I walk with them on their journey to claim their going-forward story.

One review expresses the desire of my heart: “Much more than a book of stories, this work gently asks the necessary questions needed to help survivors begin to thrive; thus, it is a catalyst for powerful transformation. It gifts readers with an invitation to construct our own “going-forward stories” which can untether us from a past that has often, sometimes without our own knowing, defined us, kept us stuck, or limited our ability to feel whole and worthy. This book does not leave you where you started; it is a vehicle for process and healing--complete with thought questions, exercises, and even reminders to breathe and take care of ourselves along the way.” —Rev. Mary Frances Comer, BA, BS, MS, MLA, MDiv.

To connect with Tambry:

Website: https://www.survivorstothrivers.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/survivorstothrivers/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/survivorstothriversofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GFS2T