I’ve been working on a logo for my website for over a year now. I didn’t want to go with a ๐ because I thought it would lose its purpose.
I started UnlockedPain.com because I was in a very dark place in my life. I knew that I needed to talk about the trauma I went through. I tried the traditional counseling route but something was still missing. I needed something more but I just didn’t know what exactly.
After lots of research (about a year and a half) I came across Sapreaย (formerly The Younique Foundation) online. A FREE 4-day retreat for adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Yes, it’s free, you just have to get there. They now have two locations, one in Utah and one in Georgia. You can find more information @ www.Saprea.org
We did many activities and one that I really enjoyed was Kintsugi. This really started to shift my perspective on saying “I’m broken”.
Kintsugi: The Value of a Broken Bowl – Kintsugi, which roughly translates to โgolden joinery,โ is the Japanese philosophy that the value of an object is not in its beauty, but in its imperfections, and that these imperfections are something to celebrate, not hide.
๐๐ My official certification arrived in the mail ๐ฎ
Victim Advocacy is not something I do as a “job”. I don’t even have a job in this area. I have my own business and I work in social media management, website, and graphic design.
Let me re-introduce myself… Petra Clarke, CA (Credentialed Advocate)
I’m so proud of myself ๐ I don’t think I’ve ever spoken about how hard this was for many different reasons (I’ll explain one day in an upcoming video recording). It use to be hard for me to give myself compliments because I never want to come across as boasting. I now know my purpose and I consider accepting compliments and giving yourself compliments to be acts of self-love ๐.
Today I earned my Certification as a National Advocate for Victims of Crime.
Even though I don’t have a “job” in this field I know my purpose for earning this is much bigger than a “job”. I may not always know what I’m doing, how I’m going to do it, or how to ask for help. I do know I will ALWAYS figure it out along the way. It’s gotten me this far, so I’ll continue my journey.
Recovery is a personal journey of hope, purpose, and growth. It is the process of setting our own directions in life. We accept the responsibilities of meeting challenges, using our own abilities, strengths and determination. I want to promote hope through positive self-disclosure, demonstrating that recovery is possible.
Thank you to my husband Ricky Clarke who is always my number # 1 supporter.
Thank you to my Mommy Patricia Bordner for giving me the stability, encouragement, and always praying for me.
Thank you to my sister Carmen Wright for being my rock.
Thank you to EVERY single one of my friends, family, and acquaintances who do the “work” to be a kinder human.
As I sit here and share this news with you all. I want to take a moment and tell my sons and ALL my nieces and nephews that even though I live further away and can’t always be there. I’m here for you. I will pray for you, I will be your biggest cheerleader and I will LOVE you no matter what happens, no matter what lifestyle you choose or what mistakes you make. Just strive to be a kind person
I want you to get out there and do some amazing things in your life! When you feel like you can’t do something just try again, then try doing it differently, and then repeat… repeat… repeat, until you see progress. Sometimes it’s not about the end result. It’s about being PROUD of yourself for trying, period!
Victim Advocacy for me is the fight in me for little Petra who was not protected and was not able to fight predators at a young age. No other explanation is needed. Now you’re going to hear meโ
It’s the last hour of June 2021 and I almost forgot to share my Speaking Story which was featured inย @rainnย ‘s Newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading everyone’s stories and projects from fellow Survivors too โค
Today is such a Special day for meโ Nichole Bywater Coombs and the ๐ฅ film team are coming to interview me and document an update on my story. I’ll share my journey before and after leaving The Saprea Retreat(formerly The Haven Retreat)
I hope by sharing my story and journey that it will help someone. You can absolutely start Thriving after trauma.
I’m so blessed to be part ofย Your Marketing Liaison TEAM ๐ฉโ๐ป๐ฉ๐ฝโ๐ผ๐ฉ๐พ๐ฉ๐ฝ๐ฉ. (Together Everyone Achieves More).
Today Boys Town Nevadaย and Collaboration LV celebrated their partnership and launch of a second Behavioral Health Clinic ๐. They offer outpatient services for families ๐ฉโ๐ง with children from infancy to 22 who are experiencing social/emotional, academic or behavioral concerns. Now more children can get the help and support they need!
@leverage_las_vegasย is really doing amazing work to make these partnerships come together for families in our community. ๐
Thank you for the invitation to attend the Ribbon โ๏ธ Cutting ceremony.