“Nothing’s for Nothing: Transformation through Trauma” by Rebekah Demirel
Rebekah Demirel grew up in circumstances that could have flattened or destroyed her. But they didn’t. She not only survived, she flourished. Rebekah’s determination, her smarts, and her goodness, transformed wounds from her abusive, neglectful upbringing and her stunningly hard time on the streets into an understanding, compassionate spirit, healing her fractured relationship with her mother and becoming a healing force for others.
I particularly like the way Rebekah intersperses her personal story with clinical knowledge from her studies of counseling and acupuncture and with practical suggestions to spur the healing process. She knows trauma inside out. She’s been there. She knows what it’s like to feel split off from herself and what it’s like to feel integrated. So, when she writes about processes necessary for healing, she has the creds to do so. She understands what it’s like to live in an abyss of pain and come out of the abyss, whole and eager to learn. The term “inspiring” has been overused and trivialized, but NOTHING’S FOR NOTHING inspires in the best sense—it makes me believe I can continue to heal my hurts and that the hurt people I know can heal theirs.
“Voice” is so important in a memoir, and Rebekah’s voice is strong and true. Her straightforward, very Canadian, conversational tone strengthens her messages. Her honesty and willingness to look at her own shortcomings is impressive. Her belief in the transformation of the human spirit is comforting.
I can’t remember jack, so I was struck, all the way through her book, by how much Rebekah remembers, and in what detail. She relates events as if they happened yesterday.
I bought two copies of the book, so I could give one away to someone I think could benefit from it. I’m waiting, with confidence, for that right person to appear. After all, NOTHING’S FOR NOTHING. Right?
I particularly like the way Rebekah intersperses her personal story with clinical knowledge from her studies of counseling and acupuncture and with practical suggestions to spur the healing process. She knows trauma inside out. She’s been there. She knows what it’s like to feel split off from herself and what it’s like to feel integrated. So, when she writes about processes necessary for healing, she has the creds to do so. She understands what it’s like to live in an abyss of pain and come out of the abyss, whole and eager to learn. The term “inspiring” has been overused and trivialized, but NOTHING’S FOR NOTHING inspires in the best sense—it makes me believe I can continue to heal my hurts and that the hurt people I know can heal theirs.
“Voice” is so important in a memoir, and Rebekah’s voice is strong and true. Her straightforward, very Canadian, conversational tone strengthens her messages. Her honesty and willingness to look at her own shortcomings is impressive. Her belief in the transformation of the human spirit is comforting.
I can’t remember jack, so I was struck, all the way through her book, by how much Rebekah remembers, and in what detail. She relates events as if they happened yesterday.
I bought two copies of the book, so I could give one away to someone I think could benefit from it. I’m waiting, with confidence, for that right person to appear. After all, NOTHING’S FOR NOTHING. Right?
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