Category: News/Press

How one woman who survived sexual and physical abuse is now teaching classes about happiness

A survivor of physical and sexual abuse, divorce and a period when she had to live on welfare, Diane Pauly drew on those experiences when she developed her college class.
A class called “Happiness.”

February 28, 2023

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This can be a difficult population to work with given their many serious issues and not just anyone can join and connect with these women. It takes a ‘down to earth,’ authentic, and compassionate individual with a hopeful outlook that becomes contagious. Diane is one of those individuals. She agreed to come and share her jour-ney and to nurture the women as they learned about how to be happy and how that happiness is really a spiritual journey. Current research suggests that helping recovering addicts develop and practice spirituality is one of the most critical components of recovery.

“Diane has received wonderful evaluations from her students. Two classes in particular, ‘Happiness Comes from Within’ and ‘Circle of Stones,’ focus on the potential in all of us to deepen spiritual awareness in the every-day moments of our lives. Diane is able to capture the hearts and minds of her students, so they leave with an enriched repertoire of strategies with which to rediscover their divine essence. She enjoys being of service through teaching others with love and sincerity, and those blessed to be in her classes experience uplifted hearts.”

The course materials were thought-provoking and targeted experiences and situations found in ‘everyday life.’ As a consequence, all the participants found personal ways of relating to what was being discussed. Issues of spirituality, growth and experiential learning in life were addressed weekly, as well as a wide range of individual topics like women’s health, nutrition, and other factors that significantly influence how one relates to oneself, others and the world at-large.

As an avid reader, I love all genres; this book fit into so many: spiritual, narrative, adventure, memoir, self-help. Diane shows us how Life’s twists and turns and surprises shape our destiny. To read this story is like stepping into the shoes of an evolving guru!

While reading Diane Pauly’s book, A Purpose-Driven Life of Helping Others: From Joy to Anguish and Back – A Memoir, I found myself wondering how the bright, successful woman I came to know in her middle years had found her way through the experiences that have left others in similar situations persistently depressed and non-functional. And then I glanced again at the cover. The subtitle, ‘from to joy to anguish and back’ and I understood that her tenacity and strength of spirit had traveled with her through it all; her inner guidance had shown her that a better life was hers if she could only find the courage to keep moving forward.

Diane writes passionately and purposefully of her relatable life experiences, from pain to intense joy! A Purpose-Driven Life of Helping Others: From Joy to Anguish and Back – A Memoir is about her journey from victim to survivor to thriver. Pauly is a determined life learner, reframing struggles into opportunities. She transforms her life through self-responsibility and self-empowerment, finding purpose in helping others on their journey to healing, peace and love beyond fear.

Diane was determined to make the best of life, and she did find the man of her dreams after many failed relationships. What rose out of the ashes was a strong spiritual essence, a love to be of service to those suffering and who were less fortunate. This diamond in the rough has shown her readers that everything is possible with God and that there is a plan for each of us, regardless of our present situations. Diane found that hard work, family, and her love for God and nature have brought her into the Highest form of Grace, which is to Love and BE LOVE! Great Read!