In a recent podcast episode, Dr. Dona Marks discussed her new book, "The Healing Moment," which shares the seven paths to healing and recovery. In this insightful and transformative conversation, Dr. Marks emphasizes the importance of trusting our inner voice and how it can guide us through life's challenges. She also explores the concepts of forgiveness, healing, and validation, especially for traumatized children in the age of social media. Additionally, we delve into the nature of addiction, considering whether it's an inherited or learned trait, and discuss various options for treating addiction. The conversation also touches on the power of self-love, appreciation, and connecting to ourselves, emphasizing the importance of compassion, love, and overcoming fear to achieve personal fulfillment. The Power of Trust and Self-Healing According to Dr. Marks, the key to healing and recovery lies in trusting our inner voice. This voice can guide us through life's challenges and help us make better decisions. However, it's essential to differentiate between the fear-driven voice and the loving voice within ourselves. By recognizing the aggressive, fear-based voice and the quieter, loving voice, we can navigate through internal conflict and make better choices. Forgiveness and Healing Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of healing, as it allows us to express and process our emotions. Dr. Marks discusses the difficult journey towards forgiveness and how self-blame often lies at the root of our inability to forgive others. She also highlights the challenges that men face in expressing their emotions due to societal expectations and the potential negative impact of technology and artificial intelligence on our emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships. Validation for Traumatized Children In the age of social media, young people are more connected than ever, yet they are also less related and forming fewer meaningful attachments. Dr. Marks acknowledges the importance of communicating openly with teenagers, valuing their insights, and supporting them through any challenges they may face, including those related to trauma. By focusing on contributing positively to social media rather than seeking validation, we can help mitigate these issues. Exploring Addiction Dr. Marks explores the nature of addiction and whether it is an inherited or learned trait. She considers the idea that addiction is a brain disorder and examines the different forms of addiction beyond drugs and alcohol. Various options for treating addiction, including twelve-step programs, therapy, and inpatient or outpatient treatment, are also discussed. Personal growth and spiritual development are crucial in overcoming addiction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices