*TW this episode talks about sexual abuse in childhood*
We head over to Idaho to have a chat with Hara Allison as she shares. with us her personal story. She is committed to spreading positivity and hope, improving lives through raw and compassionate storytelling.
Hara has seen her share of struggles. Her parents divorced when she was one. In a household with a single mum with six kids, her mum struggled financially as the kids struggled emotionally. Hara's childhood was a chaotic mix of drugs, police interactions, powdered milk and reduced cost school lunches. At seven, she was sexually abused. Nothing was said or done when she told her mum, this then defined Hara's worth. She carried so much shame. With a child's perspective, she believed it was her fault. It took 45 years for Hara to be convinced it was a trauma worthy of discussion.
When Hara was 18yo her mum passed away from cancer at 46yo. For six brutal months she watched her slowly deteriorate and then she was thrusted into adulthood. Hara then lost her dad twice: once to the fog of Alzheimer’s and later when his body succumbed to the disease. She also lost a brother to a drug overdose and another to cancer. When her daughters were only two and six, she found herself a divorced, single mum barely making it on one salary. She filed for bankruptcy twice and almost lost her home to foreclosure. Through all of this, she battled with her weight and self worth.
After years of work Hara found her way to love. Instead of pointlessly wishing she was smarter, smaller, she honour's her strengths, acknowledges her weaknesses and appreciates what she has.
"I am more than my struggles. I am more than what I look like. I’m proof that there is always hope and to find beauty you just have to seek it".
If you would like to know more about Hara or to connect with her you can reach out to her through her website:
Website: https://beneathyourbeautiful.org
Podcast: Beneath your beautiful.
Byron Katie @byron.katie was also mentioned in this episode.
