Washed Away From Darkness To Light

Washed Away: From Darkness to Light is a memoir that recounts the experiences of model Nikki DuBose as she overcomes a more than seventeen-year battle with abuse, child sexual victimization, eating disorders, psychosis, alcoholism, drugs, depression, suicide attempts, body dysmorphic disorder, and various other mental health issues, all while trying to navigate through the dark side of the fashion industry. Her journey began as a young, introverted child with a florid imagination growing up in Charleston, South Carolina. By the age of eight she had been sexually, physically, and emotionally abused and had developed an eating disorder. The abuse warped Nikki's self-perception and sparked patterns of psychosis, depression and destructive behavior that stayed with her into adulthood. In her early twenties she began working as a television host and started a career in modeling. Eventually Nikki attained success, appearing on the covers of magazines such as Maxim, shooting for editorials like Vanity Fair, Glamour and FHM, and appearing in campaigns for Perry Ellis. Cast into a world of excess, superficiality, and vanity, Nikki traveled the globe and experienced the finest that the material world had to offer, all while feeling empty inside. Her disorders, addictions and mental health issues took her to the brink of mortality and only though a deeply painful inner-battle and her mother's death was she able to reconnect the lost pieces of her soul and see the person she had so long rejected. Her recovery from a nearly lifelong struggle with PTSD, psychosis, addictions and eating disorders has left Nikki with a passionate longing to help others who are also suffering by advocating for mental health and self-acceptance. In America, more than sixty-one million individuals are affected by mental illness. Child sexual abuse affects more than forty-five million people in the United States alone, yet it is still regarded as one of the most shameful issues to date. Eating disorders affect millions and are one of the most destructive and life-threatening mental afflictions today – anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychological illness. Despite the extent of the suffering, eating disorders and mental health issues are poorly understood in popular culture and are often stigmatized, mocked, or even glorified because of misconceptions and ignorance over the seriousness of the manner. Although the modeling industry has made strides towards body diversity in the past couple of years, there is a lack of education and awareness surrounding eating disorders and other mental health issues. We believe that through the recent societal trends and improved sharing of information, we are beginning to break this paradigm, therefore another aim of this book will be to educate the public. Washed Away: From Darkness to Light will serve as a testimony to others to let them know that they are not alone in their fears, doubts, and frustrations, and that through recovery all things are possible. “A compelling and educational read about the dark side of the fashion business and its effect on mental health. Nikki draws upon her experiences of overcoming a life-threatening eating disorder as she navigates through the industry, all while wrestling with a broken home life and struggling to discover her inner voice. Nikki’s story is truly remarkable and will serve as a beacon to anyone who has ever doubted their own intrinsic value. I highly recommend Washed Away: From Darkness to Light.” —Brian Cuban, Attorney, Author (Shattered Image: My Triumph Over Body Dysmorphic Disorder), Activist “I was truly amazed by her determination to live life. I saw a woman that had every reason to quit and remain silent, but she chose to break through every obstacle that challenged her. I am very grateful that she has taken on the challenge to not only speak about her experience, but to fight for change in laws that will empower children and survivors to protect themselves. We all need to learn from Nikki and use our voices to create positive change. It is no longer okay for the silence to outweigh the tough discussion. Ignorance will not stop child sex predators from harming our children.” —Matthew Sandusky, Founder & Executive Director of Peaceful Hearts Foundation, Author (Undaunted: Breaking My Silence to Overcome the Trauma of Child Sexual Abuse), Speaker “To endure what DuBose has within her first decade proves more than most could handle in a lifetime, yet she looks back at her life with grace and a rare honesty. As she takes us through the overly sexualized fashion industry as an international top model, she gives the no-holds barred account on mental illness, rape, and eating disorders that our society so desperately needs.” —Neesha Arter, Journalist & Author (Controlled) “Washed Away: From Darkness to Light is an incredible story of one brave woman’s perseverance in the face of daunting life circumstances. Nikki DuBose details her chilling experiences with an eating disorder, childhood sexual abuse, alcoholism and drug abuse - and how she found the strength to rise above and find recovery. This powerful read will inspire those in their own recovery journeys.” —Kristina Saffran, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director at Project HEAL

This volume consists of writings by spiritual giants like Swami Vivekananda and his brother disciples, and also by the great second-generation monks of the Ramakrishna Order like Swami Ranganathananda and Swami Nikhilananda, sharing their views on spiritual matters from varying angles. Coupled with these, there are articles by a few great nationalists of the twentieth-century India like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sri Aurobindo, Subhash Chandra Bose, S Radhakrishnan, and APJ Abdul Kalam. Some of the globally reputed names adorn the last section of this volume, viz. Romain Rolland, CG Jung, Rabindranath Tagore, Dr. J C Bose, Dalai Lama, Sri John Wodroffe, and Dr. Fritjof Capra, to mention a few, who have all shared their thoughts on various subjects of the human interest. Published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, India.

Author Greg Bogaerts has had hundreds of stories appear in publications in the United States, his native Australia, and elsewhere, and this is a collection of his best. Prepare to be riveted to your seat, waiting for the next staggering plot twist, the next loathsome or pitiful character, the next surprising and disquieting ending. Prepare to wallow in the kinds of descriptions that let you hear the cries of victims, taste the salt on a lover’s skin, smell the filth in the gutters of Paris streets, and feel the anger and distress of the masses. Prepare to meet the colorful, the tragic, and the magical—stories crafted by this masterful storyteller.

Soso Tham (1873–1940), the acknowledged poet laureate of the Khasis of northeastern India, was one of the first writers to give written poetic form to the rich oral tradition of his people. Poet of landscape, myth and memory, Soso Tham paid rich and poignant tribute to his tribe in his masterpiece The Old Days of the Khasis. Janet Hujon’s vibrant new translation presents the English reader with Tham’s long poem, which keeps a rich cultural tradition of the Khasi people alive through its retelling of old narratives and acts as a cultural signpost for their literary identity. This book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Indian literature and culture and in the interplay between oral traditions and written literary forms. This edition includes: • English translation • Critical apparatus • Embedded audio recordings of the original text

The Darkness reclaimed Terra and Luna. Auron had no other choice other than to abandon their mission and return to Sonos, as ordered by the Protector. With the destruction of Terra and Luna, it seems the fate of the Omans is sealed. The pain upon Aurons mind of losing fifteen of his original twenty-four brave Omans was nearly unbearable. They spent hundreds of thousands cycles away from their home and finally returned to Sonos but came to understand something isnt adding up. Auron will not allow the existence of his people to come to an end and wishes to try and repeat the life cycle. Relix makes known particular information to Auron and with this he decides the only choice is to return to Terra in order to create new light. What will wait for Auron and others return?

Darkness and Light: Private Writing as Art is an anthology of contemporary journals, diaries, and notebooks. Excerpts from the private writings of 14 sensitive and reflective women and men are included, as well as two essays that address questions surrounding the journal-as-art. The pieces contained in the collection offer a variety of writing styles, subjects, and themes. Editors Olivia Dresher and Victor Munoz feel that the domain of the journal can encompass much more than the typically historical or therapeutic, and wish to present the concept of the journal/diary/notebook as a distinct literary genre, as an open testament to the full and mysterious variety of human life and thought.

Within the chasm of despair lies dimensions where hope fades and darkness thrives. Travelers confront demonic entities and battle their own inner demons. Survival demands that they find light within the depths of despair. Summary: The Chasm of Despair is a mysterious and sad place in the magical land of endless hope. It is tucked between two tall mountains. Some people in the town talk about it in whispers and in bedtime stories, but not many people actually go there. Here is the epic story of Leo, a brave young explorer who is on a good mission to find the Light of Hope, a mythical light that is said to drive out darkness and light up the whole country. Leo's quest takes him through real-life settings and tests his bravery, strength, and faith. The Chasm of Despair, which has a scary name, is Leo's biggest test. It's a path of fear and doubt. This is where our hero's real journey starts. Along his travels, Leo meets strange friends and people who share his desire for happiness and hope. In the end, these bonds become his compass, giving him strength and support when things get tough. As Leo goes deeper into the abyss, he faces powerful enemies: demons that represent his darkest worries and fears. Both internal and foreign conflicts put Leo's resolve to the test. Still, every contact makes Leo's understanding of optimism stronger. Instead of being an outside force, he learns that hope is a spark that lives inside and can light up even the darkest parts of the heart. This story is both about the power of hope and about a little kid who sets out to discover the vast unknown with nothing but a strong will. The Light of Hope shows how Leo has changed from a young child with big dreams to a source of hope for everyone after being buried in the Chasm of Despair. The story of Leo's search shows how powerful hope can be and how determined people can be when they are looking for light in the dark. These words serve as a warning that we can all face our fears, get past problems, and find our inner light, even when things look hopeless. In the story, the Chasm of Despair, which many people used to be afraid of, is turned into a scene of victory, which reinforces the old lesson that where there is darkness, there is always the chance of light. Chapter 1: The Start of the Journey A little boy named Leo lived in the middle of a cute little town called Brightfield. He loved stories and adventures. Many people were smiling, there were clear streams, and the fields were green and lush. There was peace and quiet there. Even in this cute town, people were always talking about a faraway land that was full of magic and evil. The place was called the Chasm of Despair. People said it was a place where hope seemed to fade, where light couldn't get through, and where shadows moved on their own. Because he wasn't afraid and was interested, Leo often asked about these stories. He wished he could explore this area on his own, figure out its secrets, and find the fabled Light of Hope, which was said to shine in the darkest places. As the sun went down one evening, Leo stood behind a big oak tree on the edge of the town. The sky was turning orange and purple. He was thinking about stories about the Chasm of Despair. His town had just been through some hard times, he thought. Not many crops had been harvested, and his friends and neighbors were becoming worried. "What if," Leo thought, "I could find the Light of Hope and bring it back to Brightfield? Maybe then, our village could flourish once again, filled with laughter and light." Leo made the decision that night to go on a trip he didn't know much about. He looked determined as he did it. It wasn't going to be easy, he knew. Even after hearing all the tough things and dangerous things that the Chasm could offer, he was still determined. Leo packed his bags with food, a warm blanket, and, most importantly, a reliable lantern so that he could leave as soon as the sun came up. He hoped that the lantern's soft glow would help him find his way through the darkest tunnels and remind him of the light he was trying to bring back. As the first rays of dawn rose over the hills and cast a soft glow over Brightfield, Leo took a deep breath and stepped out into an exciting new world. He felt a wave of hope wash over him as he turned to face his town, whose roofs were sparkling in the early morning light. He smiled and looked over the distance to see where his trip would take him. Whatever the Chasm of Despair held, Leo was ready for it. He was sure of himself and wanted his town to shine even brighter than before. This was the start of a trip that would test his bravery and show him how powerful his light and hope really were. Chapter 2: Getting to the Divide. As soon as Leo got to the unknown Chasm of Despair, strange things started to happen. He could no longer see the beautiful blue sky that he had left behind in Brightfield. It had turned a deep, dark gray. As he got closer to the gap, everything about him seemed to be trying to tell him of the problems that were going to come. He could feel the ground moving beneath his feet. It was no longer firm and familiar. With each step, it seemed to be living. The hike made Leo's heartbeat fast, and he was also scared about what would happen next. Leo bravely walked toward the gap after taking a deep breath to calm his heart. As he looked at it, it was like he could see into another world. The sun seemed to disappear into the darkness below. It looked like the darkness took in all the light, leaving only shadows that moved in strange ways on the walls. It was so full and thick. It was scary and mysterious how these shadows moved around, making it hard to tell where they stopped and where they began. Leo, on the other hand, never gave up. He thought back to the original reason he was on this trip: to find the Light of Hope and bring it back to his hometown. Taking another deep breath, he stepped into the abyss and thought about that thought again. As he worked, the light from above seemed to fade even more, and darkness sat over him like a thick blanket. He was afraid that the darkness would take him away from the wonderful days he had spent in Brightfield. In spite of the horror that was about to devour him, Leo felt a surge of confidence. He knew that this was just the start of his journey and that he had to face many more difficulties before he could reach the Light of Hope. He knew he wasn't by himself, though. It gave him the strength to go because he carried the goals and dreams of everyone in his community with him. Leo's strength and determination shone through even as the light dimmed and the shadows moved. They pushed him deeper into the abyss and toward the experiences that lay ahead.

*NOW A NETFLIX LIMITED SERIES—from producer and director Shawn Levy (Stranger Things) starring Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, and newcomer Aria Mia Loberti* Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist, the beloved instant New York Times bestseller and New York Times Book Review Top 10 Book about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. Marie-Laure lives with her father in Paris near the Museum of Natural History where he works as the master of its thousands of locks. When she is six, Marie-Laure goes blind and her father builds a perfect miniature of their neighborhood so she can memorize it by touch and navigate her way home. When she is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris, and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, where Marie-Laure’s reclusive great uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. With them they carry what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel. In a mining town in Germany, the orphan Werner grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments, a talent that wins him a place at a brutal academy for Hitler Youth, then a special assignment to track the Resistance. More and more aware of the human cost of his intelligence, Werner travels through the heart of the war and, finally, into Saint-Malo, where his story and Marie-Laure’s converge. Doerr’s “stunning sense of physical detail and gorgeous metaphors” (San Francisco Chronicle) are dazzling. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, he illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another. Ten years in the writing, All the Light We Cannot See is a magnificent, deeply moving novel from a writer “whose sentences never fail to thrill” (Los Angeles Times).