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Sarah M. Johnson is currently a graduate student seeking her Marriage and Family Therapy degree. She will graduate in 2015. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. After graduating, she plans to open up a private practice office and guide those who are seeking their own self-discoveries of love and happiness.
Sarah believes that adversity is a gateway for change, and that through the difficult times of sorrow, loss, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, disease, or other mental illness, we can use this adversity to self-explore and change for the better. We must not run away from the adversity, but face it, heal, and use this particular adversity as a learning lesson.
We all have the capacity to be happy and love ourselves; but we must utilize all necessary support systems, medical professionals, mental health professionals, Religious affiliations, (and many more that I am not mentioning) to help us find the Power Within. The Power Within helps us to accept our adversity and create necessary change for a life of love and happiness.
Reviewed by Janelle Fila for Readers' Favorite
In Life is Beautiful: How a Lost Girl Became a True, Confident Child of God by Sarah M. Johnson, Sarah is looking forward to her family's trip to Guatemala to reconnect with her family and get away from the troubles in her life. She recently dropped out of school (after not attending most of her classes due to an issue with alcohol and excessive partying) and wanted this trip to be a discovery for her so she could figure out what to do next with her life. She had a sort of boyfriend who she connected with because of his love for God, something that was important to Sarah, but at the same time she (and her family) felt he was a bad influence on her. They encouraged her to end her toxic relationship. All Sarah really had was a strong faith in a higher power, and though she didn't quite understand it or know what she wanted to do with it, she felt connected to God in a way she found hard to describe.
Then a horrendous plane crash landed Sarah in the jungles of Guatemala. Her father and brother died in the crash, along with several of their guides and new friends. Her mother was severely burned and in the hospital for months in an induced coma as she experienced several painful surgeries. At nineteen, Sarah's life was completely turned upside down. She turned to alcohol to help her cope with her loss and subsequent depression.
This story is an excellently written tale about a woman's strength and passion to survive. It starts an open dialogue about depression and alcoholism and what one person did to stop that circle of pain and anger. It is a very inspiring tale and a very interesting read for anyone who has ever experienced loss, been depressed, or turned to an outside source for momentary comfort. Excellent story, very well written, it was a joy to read!
