Human beings are no strangers to trauma. What has changed throughout our evolutionary history are the ways in which we heal from trauma. What was once a tribal, community-based family system has become desperate, individualized, and spread out. We have traded the healing powers of community for rugged individualism, and it hasn’t always been the best thing.

I had so many “aha” moments while listening to WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU. So many times when I heard a description of an experience that fit me to a tee, so many times when I thought, “So that’s why!” and so many times when I wish I knew in my past what I know in my present. And, just when I thought I had gathered together all of the moments from the narrative, Oprah’s epilogue hit me. Or, rather, her astounding definition of forgiveness hit me: Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different than what it was.

From the structure of our brains to how remarkably resilient we can be when healing is approached the right way, I found this book truly captivating, emotional, and valuable.