Yesterday was my 20 year rescue anniversary. I was able to celebrate by relaxing at home and spending time with my little family. Thank you so much for all the kind messages I received, the many prayers I’ve been the recipient of over the years, and all the love I’ve been shown. I’ll never be able to express my full gratitude enough. It is fair to say I could have never imagined my life turning out the way it has. 20 years ago when I was kidnapped I didn’t know if I would survive, each day was a question right up until I was rescued. Once I was rescued it was a rollercoaster of emotion and honestly felt like we were all stepping into the unknown. And now 20 years later looking back although it was difficult and often overwhelming I’m so grateful for my experiences and the path it has lead me down, meeting my husband, having children, learning a whole new level of empathy and compassion, meeting the most amazing and dedicated individuals, and being able to devote my life to a cause that I feel so passionate about and feeling like I’m contributing to the betterment of humanity is more than I could ask for. Thank you again, and God bless us all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yesterday was my 20 year rescue anniversary. I was able to celebrate by relaxing at home and spending time with my little family. Thank you so much for all the kind messages I received, the many prayers I’ve been the recipient of over the years, and all the love I’ve been shown. I’ll never be able to express my full gratitude enough. It is fair to say I could have never imagined my life turning out the way it has. 20 years ago when I was kidnapped I didn’t know if I would survive, each day was a question right up until I was rescued. Once I was rescued it was a rollercoaster of emotion and honestly felt like we were all stepping into the unknown. And now 20 years later looking back although it was difficult and often overwhelming I’m so grateful for my experiences and the path it has lead me down, meeting my husband, having children, learning a whole new level of empathy and compassion, meeting the most amazing and dedicated individuals, and being able to devote my life to a cause that I feel so passionate about and feeling like I’m contributing to the betterment of humanity is more than I could ask for. Thank you again, and God bless us all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yesterday was my 20 year rescue anniversary. I was able to celebrate by relaxing at home and spending time with my little family. Thank you so much for all the kind messages I received, the many prayers I’ve been the recipient of over the years, and all the love I’ve been shown. I’ll never be able to express my full gratitude enough. It is fair to say I could have never imagined my life turning out the way it has. 20 years ago when I was kidnapped I didn’t know if I would survive, each day was a question right up until I was rescued. Once I was rescued it was a rollercoaster of emotion and honestly felt like we were all stepping into the unknown. And now 20 years later looking back although it was difficult and often overwhelming I’m so grateful for my experiences and the path it has lead me down, meeting my husband, having children, learning a whole new level of empathy and compassion, meeting the most amazing and dedicated individuals, and being able to devote my life to a cause that I feel so passionate about and feeling like I’m contributing to the betterment of humanity is more than I could ask for. Thank you again, and God bless us all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yesterday was my 20 year rescue anniversary. I was able to celebrate by relaxing at home and spending time with my little family. Thank you so much for all the kind messages I received, the many prayers I’ve been the recipient of over the years, and all the love I’ve been shown. I’ll never be able to express my full gratitude enough. It is fair to say I could have never imagined my life turning out the way it has. 20 years ago when I was kidnapped I didn’t know if I would survive, each day was a question right up until I was rescued. Once I was rescued it was a rollercoaster of emotion and honestly felt like we were all stepping into the unknown. And now 20 years later looking back although it was difficult and often overwhelming I’m so grateful for my experiences and the path it has lead me down, meeting my husband, having children, learning a whole new level of empathy and compassion, meeting the most amazing and dedicated individuals, and being able to devote my life to a cause that I feel so passionate about and feeling like I’m contributing to the betterment of humanity is more than I could ask for. Thank you again, and God bless us all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yesterday was my 20 year rescue anniversary. I was able to celebrate by relaxing at home and spending time with my little family. Thank you so much for all the kind messages I received, the many prayers I’ve been the recipient of over the years, and all the love I’ve been shown. I’ll never be able to express my full gratitude enough. It is fair to say I could have never imagined my life turning out the way it has. 20 years ago when I was kidnapped I didn’t know if I would survive, each day was a question right up until I was rescued. Once I was rescued it was a rollercoaster of emotion and honestly felt like we were all stepping into the unknown. And now 20 years later looking back although it was difficult and often overwhelming I’m so grateful for my experiences and the path it has lead me down, meeting my husband, having children, learning a whole new level of empathy and compassion, meeting the most amazing and dedicated individuals, and being able to devote my life to a cause that I feel so passionate about and feeling like I’m contributing to the betterment of humanity is more than I could ask for. Thank you again, and God bless us all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yesterday was my 20 year rescue anniversary. I was able to celebrate by relaxing at home and spending time with my little family. Thank you so much for all the kind messages I received, the many prayers I’ve been the recipient of over the years, and all the love I’ve been shown. I’ll never be able to express my full gratitude enough. It is fair to say I could have never imagined my life turning out the way it has. 20 years ago when I was kidnapped I didn’t know if I would survive, each day was a question right up until I was rescued. Once I was rescued it was a rollercoaster of emotion and honestly felt like we were all stepping into the unknown. And now 20 years later looking back although it was difficult and often overwhelming I’m so grateful for my experiences and the path it has lead me down, meeting my husband, having children, learning a whole new level of empathy and compassion, meeting the most amazing and dedicated individuals, and being able to devote my life to a cause that I feel so passionate about and feeling like I’m contributing to the betterment of humanity is more than I could ask for. Thank you again, and God bless us all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
It seems like life somehow always makes it full circle. One of the first people I met after I was rescued was a man named Chris Thomas (@csthomas4 ) at the time I didn’t really understand the roll he played in my family while I was kidnapped, one of the most shocking parts of coming home was the vast amount of attention my story had received and continued to receive I quickly grew to trust Chris and came to look at him as a mentor, friend, and honestly a big brother. He was there the day I came home, he accompanied my family when we were generously offered a reprieve to Hawaii and were able to get away from everything, he helped me when I wrote my first book “My Story” and funnily enough he helped arrange everything for my wedding in Hawaii back in 2012, ultimately he has been a friend and present for almost every major milestone in my life. So as this Sunday marks 20 years since I’ve been rescued I’m happy to be able to help Chris share his story, “Unexpected.” It is now available on Amazon, audible, Barnes and Noble, Target, basically everywhere that sells books.
PS I wrote the forward and it’s the best part 😆😉😁
It seems like life somehow always makes it full circle. One of the first people I met after I was rescued was a man named Chris Thomas (@csthomas4 ) at the time I didn’t really understand the roll he played in my family while I was kidnapped, one of the most shocking parts of coming home was the vast amount of attention my story had received and continued to receive I quickly grew to trust Chris and came to look at him as a mentor, friend, and honestly a big brother. He was there the day I came home, he accompanied my family when we were generously offered a reprieve to Hawaii and were able to get away from everything, he helped me when I wrote my first book “My Story” and funnily enough he helped arrange everything for my wedding in Hawaii back in 2012, ultimately he has been a friend and present for almost every major milestone in my life. So as this Sunday marks 20 years since I’ve been rescued I’m happy to be able to help Chris share his story, “Unexpected.” It is now available on Amazon, audible, Barnes and Noble, Target, basically everywhere that sells books.
PS I wrote the forward and it’s the best part 😆😉😁
It seems like life somehow always makes it full circle. One of the first people I met after I was rescued was a man named Chris Thomas (@csthomas4 ) at the time I didn’t really understand the roll he played in my family while I was kidnapped, one of the most shocking parts of coming home was the vast amount of attention my story had received and continued to receive I quickly grew to trust Chris and came to look at him as a mentor, friend, and honestly a big brother. He was there the day I came home, he accompanied my family when we were generously offered a reprieve to Hawaii and were able to get away from everything, he helped me when I wrote my first book “My Story” and funnily enough he helped arrange everything for my wedding in Hawaii back in 2012, ultimately he has been a friend and present for almost every major milestone in my life. So as this Sunday marks 20 years since I’ve been rescued I’m happy to be able to help Chris share his story, “Unexpected.” It is now available on Amazon, audible, Barnes and Noble, Target, basically everywhere that sells books.
PS I wrote the forward and it’s the best part 😆😉😁
It seems like life somehow always makes it full circle. One of the first people I met after I was rescued was a man named Chris Thomas (@csthomas4 ) at the time I didn’t really understand the roll he played in my family while I was kidnapped, one of the most shocking parts of coming home was the vast amount of attention my story had received and continued to receive I quickly grew to trust Chris and came to look at him as a mentor, friend, and honestly a big brother. He was there the day I came home, he accompanied my family when we were generously offered a reprieve to Hawaii and were able to get away from everything, he helped me when I wrote my first book “My Story” and funnily enough he helped arrange everything for my wedding in Hawaii back in 2012, ultimately he has been a friend and present for almost every major milestone in my life. So as this Sunday marks 20 years since I’ve been rescued I’m happy to be able to help Chris share his story, “Unexpected.” It is now available on Amazon, audible, Barnes and Noble, Target, basically everywhere that sells books.
PS I wrote the forward and it’s the best part 😆😉😁
It seems like life somehow always makes it full circle. One of the first people I met after I was rescued was a man named Chris Thomas (@csthomas4 ) at the time I didn’t really understand the roll he played in my family while I was kidnapped, one of the most shocking parts of coming home was the vast amount of attention my story had received and continued to receive I quickly grew to trust Chris and came to look at him as a mentor, friend, and honestly a big brother. He was there the day I came home, he accompanied my family when we were generously offered a reprieve to Hawaii and were able to get away from everything, he helped me when I wrote my first book “My Story” and funnily enough he helped arrange everything for my wedding in Hawaii back in 2012, ultimately he has been a friend and present for almost every major milestone in my life. So as this Sunday marks 20 years since I’ve been rescued I’m happy to be able to help Chris share his story, “Unexpected.” It is now available on Amazon, audible, Barnes and Noble, Target, basically everywhere that sells books.
PS I wrote the forward and it’s the best part 😆😉😁
So much of when we talk about boundaries and consent is surrounded by the importance of saying “no,” but “yes” is equally as important.
When you are clearly informed and don’t feel obligated, manipulated, or coerced into saying yes, it is truly a word that brings freedom.
A wholehearted “yes” is reality changing. It opens doors, starts relationships, and leads to stimulating experiences.
My favorite “yes” was accepting my husband’s proposal. That yes has led to so many more yeses that have just filled my heart with joy.
What was your favorite yes?
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!!!!Giveaway Closed!!!!
My Wholehearted Consent Course helps teens feel confident when saying No. I’m giving away 20 free enrollments to my Wholehearted Consent course. This course is perfect for the teenager in your life. To enter to win, go to the link in my bio and then click the course giveaway/newsletter sign-up link. Giveaway will be closed March 24 at 11:59 pm. Winners will be announced the following Monday. I’ll be rooting for you! 😉
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#consenteducation #consentmatters #sexualconsent
Thank you @gayleking for having me on CBS this morning! We both reminisced over the last twenty years. I told Gayle this earlier and I’ll say it again now I never could have imagined my life now 20 years ago! So much has happened. And I also feel it’s fitting that not only am I celebrating a major miracle that happened in my life but the release of a project I’ve been working on now for quite some time. Some of you will remember when I asked for your time to complete a survey on consent awhile back. With those results I’ve created a course on “wholehearted consent.” I’m so proud of the final product, this is not sex ed. this is a tool to be used to work out what your boundaries are, how to practice whole hearted consent, and recognizing when someone disrespects or dismisses your boundaries. Click on the link in my profile for more information or go to www.wholeheartedconsent.com
Thank you @gayleking for having me on CBS this morning! We both reminisced over the last twenty years. I told Gayle this earlier and I’ll say it again now I never could have imagined my life now 20 years ago! So much has happened. And I also feel it’s fitting that not only am I celebrating a major miracle that happened in my life but the release of a project I’ve been working on now for quite some time. Some of you will remember when I asked for your time to complete a survey on consent awhile back. With those results I’ve created a course on “wholehearted consent.” I’m so proud of the final product, this is not sex ed. this is a tool to be used to work out what your boundaries are, how to practice whole hearted consent, and recognizing when someone disrespects or dismisses your boundaries. Click on the link in my profile for more information or go to www.wholeheartedconsent.com
Thank you @gayleking for having me on CBS this morning! We both reminisced over the last twenty years. I told Gayle this earlier and I’ll say it again now I never could have imagined my life now 20 years ago! So much has happened. And I also feel it’s fitting that not only am I celebrating a major miracle that happened in my life but the release of a project I’ve been working on now for quite some time. Some of you will remember when I asked for your time to complete a survey on consent awhile back. With those results I’ve created a course on “wholehearted consent.” I’m so proud of the final product, this is not sex ed. this is a tool to be used to work out what your boundaries are, how to practice whole hearted consent, and recognizing when someone disrespects or dismisses your boundaries. Click on the link in my profile for more information or go to www.wholeheartedconsent.com
Thank you @gayleking for having me on CBS this morning! We both reminisced over the last twenty years. I told Gayle this earlier and I’ll say it again now I never could have imagined my life now 20 years ago! So much has happened. And I also feel it’s fitting that not only am I celebrating a major miracle that happened in my life but the release of a project I’ve been working on now for quite some time. Some of you will remember when I asked for your time to complete a survey on consent awhile back. With those results I’ve created a course on “wholehearted consent.” I’m so proud of the final product, this is not sex ed. this is a tool to be used to work out what your boundaries are, how to practice whole hearted consent, and recognizing when someone disrespects or dismisses your boundaries. Click on the link in my profile for more information or go to www.wholeheartedconsent.com
Do you remember when your toddler learned how to say “no?” Once mine did, there was a long season where everything became a “no,” “no-no-no,” or “nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!”
It was exhausting because it seemed nothing could ever appease this little human, but looking back on it, I’m so glad that almost all kids go through a “no” stage. It sets them up for future boundary setting.
Sadly, between toddlerhood and adulthood, many of us lose our ability to confidently say “no.” Maybe because our no’s were never respected, maybe we’re scared of rejection, or we just don’t want to deal with the conflict that will result if we say no. Whatever, the reason it’s time to take back our toddler voice and unapologetically start saying no.
No, I don’t want to do that.
No, I don’t like that.
No, I’m not interested in that.
No, I’ve changed my mind.
No.
My Wholehearted Consent Course helps teens feel confident when saying No. I’m giving away 20 free enrollments to my Wholehearted Consent course. This course is perfect for the teenager in your life.
!!!!Giveaway Closed!!!!
To enter to win, go to the link in my bio and then click the course giveaway/newsletter sign-up link. Giveaway will be closed March 24 at 11:59 pm. Winners will be announced the following Monday. I’ll be rooting for you! 😉
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📷 Josh Withers
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#consenteducation #consentmatters #sexualconsent
So why did I write a course on sexual consent?
Honestly, because in my work, I’ve heard the following stories way too often.
-One partner “love bombs” the other, overwhelming them with gifts, so the other partner feels obligated to do things they wouldn’t feel comfortable doing. Or,
-A guy begs his girlfriend to have sex with them. After all the pleading, she finally gives in but feels awful about it. She cares for him deeply but wasn’t ready for that step. Or,
-A wife feels she must have sex with her husband whenever he demands, even if she feels sick, is busy with other tasks, has just had a baby, isn’t in the mood, or plain doesn’t want to. Because if she doesn’t, he might lust over another woman, look at p*rn, or even have an affair.
None of these situations are examples of truly consensual relations. They are examples of coercion and manipulation used to get people to give sexual favors. It’s not okay. At best, in these situations, it’s bad romance; at worst, it’s nonconsensual sex.
We are so familiar with examples of sexual abuse and sexual victimization that we see on Lifetime Movies or hear in True Crime podcasts that we forget that the scenarios listed above can ALSO examples of abuse and victimization. And unfortunately, they are waaaaayyyyy too common.
So we need to talk about what consent looks like and how it applies to all relationship stages.
If you agree, leave a 💯 in the comments.
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!!!!Giveaway Closed!!!!
My Wholehearted Consent Course helps teens feel confident when saying No. I’m giving away 20 free enrollments to my Wholehearted Consent course. This course is perfect for the teenager in your life. To enter to win, go to the link in my bio and then click the course giveaway/newsletter sign-up link. Giveaway will be closed on March 24 at 11:59 pm. Winners will be announced the following Monday. I’ll be rooting for you! 😉
So so beautiful and so so cold! Cape Spear in St. John, Newfoundland, Canada. What an adventure getting here but so thrilled to come.
Want to know something fascinating? Talking to your kids about sex doesn’t influence the age at which they start having sex. But it does help them choose to practice safe sex when they do become sexually active (doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.2324).
What!!?! This goes against what so many of us were taught or believe. But hear me out.
Practicing INFORMED CONSENT when giving the sex talk is a great way to teach your kids about consent. Creating a culture where you regularly lay out the pros and cons of a particular situation unbiasedly teaches your teen to do the same.
Now I know. When giving our kids the sex talk, sharing the potential negative outcomes can feel easier than discussing the positive ones.
And the negative outcomes are a worthy discussion! Having sex in the wrong circumstances can bring heartbreak, disease, and life changes one might not be ready for. Things you want to guard your kids against experiencing.
But remember, with informed consent, you gotta talk about the good stuff. Like It’s fun, feels good, is a great time-filler, and can be soul-connecting.
Often the positives make us uncomfortable because we are nervous it might cause a premature decision. Scaring them into abstinence seems like the safer choice.
But I’m here to tell you don’t be scared about telling your kids the FULL story.
When they fully understand BOTH sides, you’re equipping them with two important things. Prioritizing clear communication even when it’s uncomfortable and respecting their body autonomy to make a personal decision.
Experienced parents, what advice can you give others out there who are about to broach this sex topic with their kids?
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‼️‼️GIVEAWAY CLOSED‼️‼️
My Wholehearted Consent Course helps teens feel confident when saying No. I’m giving away 20 free enrollments to my Wholehearted Consent course. This course is perfect for the teenager in your life.
📷 @aaronburden
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#sexualconsent #consenteducation #consentmatters
I’ve had such a special time up here I St. John, Newfoundland. Today I had the opportunity to share the stage with incredible leaders, inspirational innovators, and individuals with unceasing amounts of courage (who all happen to be women) at the @memorialuniversity “portraits of courage conference”. What a powerful and uplifting event. It reminded me of something Diane Avon Furstenberg said, “I have never met a woman who isn’t strong, she simply doesn’t exist.” I would amend that statement to include everyone because life isn’t easy, we all have our own stories, and we’re all survivors of life up until this moment so far. I think we never really understand how strong we truly are, or how much we as individuals can make a difference, or what our full potential is until we are called upon whether for good or bad. Never give up. Humanity and goodness still exists. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
In honor of my 20th anniversary of being rescued, I am giving away 20 enrollments to my Wholehearted Consent course. To sign-up is easy.
Click the link in my bio, the click the link Wholehearted Consent Giveaway/Newsletter Sign-up.
That’s it, and you’re in! Winners will be randomly drawn and contacted via email on Wednesday, March 22.
⏰!!!!Giveaway Closed!!!!
You can participate until Friday, March 24, 2023, at 11:59 pm CST. We will randomly draw the winners and contact them via email on March 27.
This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram.
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#wholeheartedconsent #consentmatters #consenteducation
