In Others’ Word: Bold (Guest post with Reba J. Hoffman)
Reba J. Hoffman and her trusty “steed,” Dakota.
Meet my friend, Reba — truly one of the most unique individuals I’ve ever met! She embraces the challenge to “live life out loud.” We met at the inaugural My Book Therapy Storycrafters Retreat in 2009. Last Saturday, Reba embarked on an amazing cross-country journey. I’m so excited for you to hear why she made this bold choice.
There is no feeling like freedom. It is as grand a gift as the air we breathe. I don’t believe it can be fully experienced unless you do something daring and bold.
Experiencing freedom is at once exhilarating and terrifying. Facing the fear head on empowers us to boldly go where we’ve never gone before. We change the world when we step forward into fear and liberty is oh so sweet.
Unfortunately, for untold numbers of women, they believe they’ll never be free. They are imprisoned in their own homes by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They were bold enough to survive a violent attack but now hide from the world within four walls. If they do venture out, anxiety and panic paralyzes them.
That’s why I’m doing something bold. I’ve left behind comfort and familiar, climbed onto my bicycle and set off on a solo, self-contained tour from Appalachia to the west coast of Oregon or Washington. Why? Because I want to help set these women free from their past.
Through following my journey on what I’ve come to call the Road to Freedom, I pray these women will muster the courage to face that fear and take back their lives!
I know the grip of fear. On November 5, 1984, I survived a violent attack. The broken bones healed but the fear grew. I had to take a bold step: I sought help. God used a team of professionals to help me overcome PTSD. Taking that frightening step resulted in experiencing a freedom like I’d never felt before.
I want every woman who has been victimized by a brutal assailant to muster the courage to take that bold step for themselves and their future. I want them to know what it’s like to stand at the top of their own Everest and gaze out from the pinnacle of their own world.
Reba hits the Georgia line on Day 2 of her cross-country journey.
That’s why I’ve mounted Dakota, my Waterford touring bicycle, and set out for places unknown. I’m going to blog the whole trip and share my insights, experiences, and bold moves as I go.
I’ll also be writing a book about it along the way. This journey is bigger than me and by far the boldest move I’ve ever made. I’m ridding myself of all the things I thought I needed in life, and will take essentials with me on my bike.
I invite you to take the journey with me. Follow my trip on my blog at www.RebaJHoffman.com. Use the wisdom it brings to do something bold in your own life. I promise you that freedom lies in being bold.
Take the journey with me on the Road to Freedom.
In Your Words: How have you been affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — do you know someone who suffers from PTSD? How have you discovered that being bold leads to freedom?
Follow Reba’s journey by “liking” her FB page.
How being bold leads to freedom Click to Tweet
The road to freedom from PTSD Click to Tweet
Be Bold: Dr. Reba J. Hoffman cycles cross-county to support women who suffer with PTSD Click to Tweet
