For many, the first phase of the wake-up call is to confront their own unhealed pasts. There has never been a better time to clear and release energy trapped in old resentments and regrets. The process of moving from victimhood, fear, revenge and hatred to being empowered, forgiving, loving and free is different for each of us. Yet, confronting and making peace with our individual shadow is crucial in all instances.

Eventually, we realize that every thought, feeling or behavior we are ashamed of, or hate in ourselves, was our best attempt in the past to find safety, love and a sense of belonging. We begin to see ourselves with kinder, more merciful eyes. We are given the gift of seeing the lesson in all life's circumstances, no matter how hard they were. Then we can embrace the wounded child within and promise to listen to, protect and love him or her from this day forward.