Ana Holub

I grew up in New Jersey in a middle-class family. To the neighbors, we seemed perfect, but on the inside, things weren't so rosy. My mother's mental health was worsening, especially after the death of her son just before I was born. Although there were good times, our family spiraled quietly into grief, confusion, and mental illness. My mother died by suicide when I was 23 and 8.5 months pregnant. I was single at the time, almost penniless, and involved in a spiritual cult. It took me years to find my way past that devastating time.

I got into breathwork, meditation, yoga, and prayer, and studied conflict resolution, receiving a BA in Peace Studies and an MA in Dispute Resolution. I also married and had two wonderful children. Along the way, I learned to forgive myself and others using an approach taught to me by Colin Tipping, author of Radical Forgiveness. I also began studying a spiritual text called A Course in Miracles. The deep peace and joy I feel because of forgiveness gets more and more profound as the years roll by.