Wanda Nordlie has written and published her first book, Power To Heal My Whole Self. It is a powerful mix of autobiography and self-help resources. The book follows Nordlie’s life story and her journey to make peace with her life experiences. Nordlie lived with an alcoholic mother and an abusive stepfather on and off from the age of two to seven.
She was placed in her final foster home at age seven. At age eight, her foster father sexually abused her. Nordlie withdrew into herself to keep the secret that she had never been asked to conceal. Everything she did to survive only served to push her further down into a dark hole; she thought she didn’t deserve to come back out.
In 1989, Nordlie began her long and winding journey toward healing. Throughout that journey, she came to understand how the chain of events in her life had shaped her. She had allowed these events to define who she was as a person and, as a result, she felt unloved, unaccepted, and unworthy. She blamed herself for what happened.
Nordlie now understands the power of healing (and the process that it requires). Healing occurs because of the actions we take.
“While working in a male prison for six years I developed a class around shame and taught it to over 400 clients. It was during that time I knew my true purpose in life is to help individuals,” she said. “The inspiration to write my book came from my desire to help others who may be hiding and suffering from the same or similar feelings I had most of my life.”
Power To Heal My Whole Self is not only Nordlie’s journey but most importantly, it is to continue to help others by bringing what she taught for five years to as many individuals as she can. “I’ve said, if my book helps one other person, then it has served its purpose,” said Nordlie. Since the book’s release, it has become an Amazon bestseller.
Nordlie is currently working on her next book. She keeps a notebook with her at all times to capture thoughts she may like to use in her writing. She noted she sometimes has dreams of different situations and records them immediately after awakening.
Nordlie has had bittersweet experiences within her immediate family. “I was blessed to have a wonderful loving husband for 14 years who we, unfortunately, lost to heart disease when our son was 16 months old. Our wonderful, loving, amazing son Joe Jr. is now 24 years old and has the same giving spirit as his dad,” she said.
When not writing, Nordlie enjoys spending time with friends and being part of a large faith-filled community. She also spends time cooking, baking, reading, and occasionally watching TV.
Nordlie is a member of the N.H. Writers’ Association. You can learn more at powertohealmywholeself.com. Power to Heal My Whole Self can be purchased on Amazon.