Mariah Burton Nelson, The Unburdened Heart  

Author/Athlete/Professional Speaker Mariah Burton Nelson, Author, Athlete, Speaker

"Think of yourself as an athlete. I guarantee you it will change the way you walk, the way you work, and the decisions you make about leadership, teamwork, and success."- MBN












   

THE UNBURDENED HEART
5 Keys to Forgiveness & Freedom

* This book -- featured on Good Morning America and the Diane Rehm Show, and named a New York Times Gift Book of the Year -- teaches people how, when, and why to forgive. The Unburdened Heart was nominated for the Christopher Award, presented annually to books, movies, and television shows that "affirm the highest values of the human spirit." Previous award winners include Desmond Tutu, Elie Wiesel, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and Bob Hope.

In the five central chapters of this book, Mariah offers these original keys to forgiveness and freedom:

  1. Awareness: Remember who hurt you and how.
  2. Validation: Talk to a sympathetic listener.
  3. Compassion: Strive to see the offender’s humanity.
  4. Humility: Reflect on your own faults and failings.
  5. Self-forgiveness: Open your heart to yourself.

Throughout this book, Mariah weaves her personal story: a dramatic and poignant reckoning between molester and molestee. Along the way she offers many other stories and struggles, along with experts’ insights about what happens, or can happen, after abuse, assault, neglect, murder, wrongdoing, affront, or simple misunderstandings.

Forgiveness heals. The one who is healed -- the forgiver -- becomes free from the pain of the past, and also free to love differently, and love more, in the future.

Read the first chapter.

See also The Stronger Women Get, The More Men Love Football

See also We Are All Athletes

What Reviewers and Readers Say

"Thoughtful, persuasive, accomplished, engaging, considered, and eloquent..."--Publishers Weekly

"A guide for forgiving is needed by everyone. Here is one of the best. It moved me and taught me much"--Reverend Anthony Campolo, Professor of Sociology, Eastern College

"Mariah is a courageous, compelling writer who reinforced the way I think about forgiveness and freedom. Essential reading for anyone who wants to get past old pain and fully enjoy the present moment." --Billie Jean King, Tennis legend

"Beautiful! I love the way Mariah writes. With this book, she also emerges as a spiritual leader. Readers who seek inner peace and freedom would be wise to follow in her footsteps." --Cheri Huber, author and teacher, Zen Monastery Practice Center, Murphys, California

Mariah, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you how much I have thought about you since I visited with you last year at the Heart of America dinner in Washington, D. C. It was a gift from heaven for you to share with me information from your book, The Unburdened Heart. After we spoke, I bought the book, read it, and marveled at how well written and thought-out it was. I can't thank you enough for your courage in sharing your understanding of forgiveness. Your message continues to be powerfully meaningful to me, daily. Thank You. Thank You. – Kathy Loveless

Washingtonian Online, July 2000
by William O’Sullivan

Washington author Nelson has moved far afield from her identity as a sportswriter with this well-researched, honest, and inspiring book. Whether the grudges we carry are the result of violence, infidelity, or the smaller missteps of daily life, Nelson believes the way to an open heart is to forgive those who have wronged us—and here’s the rub: to do it whether they ask us to or not. "As a forgiver," she writes, "you add goodness to the world and can in turn enjoy that feeling of generosity. In that state of mind, you’re likely to feel not only healthier but also more forgiving of other human mistakes, including your own."

Nelson is no Pollyanna advocating denial or turning the other cheek. The victim of sexual abuse by a coach when she was a teenager, she explains that the first key to forgiving is awareness that an offense occurred and had consequences. Each of the other keys—validation, compassion, humility, and self-forgiveness—is likewise grounded in the knowledge that there was reason to be hurt; otherwise, there’d be no reason to forgive.

"Forgivers release themselves from the victim identity," Nelson writes, "from forever being tied to the offender. Rather than staying defeated, they start thinking of themselves as powerful, effective, creative." Nelson, a former college and pro athlete, knows something about defeat and victory. Her book gives self-help a good name."


To contact Mariah about her presentations, call 703/276-8323 or write to her at Mariah@MariahBurtonNelson.com

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