Up next: E.S.T.E.A.M. and founder Dawn Schiller. Nothing is more inspiring to me than a life of past pain and confusion created into something beautiful…a life into a dynamic, developing piece of art. Life is just hard and sometimes simply difficult to survive. Some people have been or are in horrible life-situations in which no one should have to be. However, past pain can point to a place of purpose in life. It allows us a unique experience from which we can speak into other’s circumstances…that’s when the beauty and artistry begin to occur. Dawn gets that.
She allows her past full of pain, abuse, mistakes, hurt and the seemingly impossible-to-survive moments as a “throwaway teen” to become a life designed for something beyond herself. The Road Through Wonderland is a portion of her story. However, the story really doesn’t end at the last page of her book…it continues. In fact, it’s the part of the story I love the most; it’s the life art that I’m watching and admiring. Dawn has leveraged and not wasted those very difficult life moments. All the insight, all the character, all the spirit of survival, and all the other gains are being used as a voice for the voices of other throwaway teens that are often judged but go unheard…unnoticed…unvalued. Dawn speaks nationwide and pours herself into E.S.T.E.A.M., a non-profit raising awareness and education about throwaway teens that are still journeying through their painful moments. She knows that there is value in the broken. She knows the value of a second chance and the true beauty of grace in unexpected places. She knows what a small glimmer of hope…of love can mean to someone completely surrounded by darkness. She has experienced it, and she extends it.
My soundtrack for writing this post: Shuree’s ‘Broken is Beautiful.’ Here’s a behind the music video:
Loved Dawn’s book, and looking forward to the big things that will come from E.A.S.T.E.A.M. Shuree and Dawn make a powerful combination!!