Welcome to "Finding Forgiveness - a Family Fairy Tale" where host Susan Gibson dives into the profound journey of healing and reconciliation. Today Susan invites us to explore a deeply rooted question: how do we mend wounds inflicted by others? As we navigate her insights Susan challenges us to embrace vulnerability and the importance of not facing our struggles alone. She unveils the transformative power of reconnecting with nature as a pathway to healing and advocates for seeking guidance along this intricate path. Drawing from her own experiences Susan shares the symbolic roles of loved ones who become our spiritual guides in times of need — from her Grammy appearing as an owl to her mother embodying the strength of an eagle. Join us as we embark on this heartfelt exploration of forgiveness and redemption guided by Susan's compassionate storytelling.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[0:01] Susan challenges the listener to wonder how we can heal wounds inflicted by others
[1:46] Reflecting on how the split occurred between Susan and her mother and acknowledging it
[5:28] Reclaiming the feminine energy by not walking this path alone
[13:08] Susan discusses an event that reminded her of her split with her mother
[17:17] Immersing yourself in the natural cycles of the world
[21:33] You need a guide when you acknowledge the split and the wounds it has caused. Susan's Grammy serves as her guide
[24:59] How forgiveness helped Susan reclaim your full feminine power
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
When someone hurts you you must acknowledge the hurt caused
Surround yourself with people who share and celebrate feminine energy
Find a way to connect with nature because nature has healing rhythm and energy
QUOTES:
"The acknowledgement of the split between my mother and me has taken me a long time to come to terms with. I went through many different experiences and feelings throughout all those years from my early twenties until I turned 50. But to make sense of the world because of the wound that had been inflicted on my emotional being by my mother, that acknowledgment is key to finding a path to wholeness." Susan Gibson
"I started this transformation when I turned 50, 12 years ago. I began to hone in on the natural world and I did a ritual around the natural cycle of the solstice and equinox and did a cleanse. It's about a 10-day cleanse and it helped me clear my internal self. It made me feel refreshed and ready for the next few months. It's a ritual I hold very dear to my existence and it helped me be very much in tune with my inner self and nature by doing this cleanse." Susan Gibson
RESOURCES:
ABOUT THE HOST:
Susan Gibson grew up in a small town in Northern Maine the only surviving child of parents who married young and divorced young. From the influence of their shared experiences Susan has learned two things that are core to who she is: the value of community and the power of having a voice.
Susan has spent her entire academic and professional career as a woman in tech. She started as a developer in the mid-80s and continues today as CEO of Temenos+Agility a management consulting company she co-founded with her partner Siraj Sirajuddin. Together they help enterprises transform organizationally and personally to find a more meaningful way to deliver value to their customers.
Susan frequently contributes to the Women in Tech (WiT) Regatta and speaks worldwide at public and private events. She uses her voice to grow communities of women mentors and allies in tech.
Susan has many lifelong pursuits - healthy eating fitness yoga and meditation music theater opera reading movies travel family and friends. She is also rebuilding her family's 110-year-old homestead in Northern Maine a labor of love.
