The Path of Forgiveness

Hello fellow seekers of inner peace,

My name is Melissa Soriano, and

I'm in the process of reinventing

myself. I've struggled with deep depression since I was a teenager due to a series of traumatic events.

I felt as if a dark cloud always followed me which obscured the light of the horizon.

With faith and an unrelenting belief

in myself, I was able to graduate from college with a BS in Biochemistry from Trinity University and then subsequently, graduate from medical school.

I was then accepted into a Pediatric Residency at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City.

I had a very challenging time in

residency, attempting to juggle sleep deprivation and saving children's lives. This further exacerbated my depressed condition.

I almost quite many times.

However, with the encouragement of my mentor and the calling to help people in need, I persevered and continued.

On September 11, 2001, I witnessed the devastation of the World Trade Center first hand looking out the hallway window of my hospital.

After being on call all day and night, I walked home to a scene in New York that was surreal.

It was something out of a Post-Apocalyptic movie.

I witnessed many things as a doctor that were traumatizing.

With this tragedy in my memory coupled with the demands and expectations of being a

physician, I had a mental breakdown.

My soul plagued by overwhelming sadness reached its nadir, and I became suicidal.

Since then, I tried various combinations of pharmaceuticals and psychotherapy to ameliorate the depression and anxiety.

Although pharmaceuticals helped me through my crisis period, I believe in more holistic ways

to balance instability of mood and found it to be effective.

For example, instead of taking pills, I am taking probiotics and bee pollen to generate a harmonious environment in my body. This harmony in my gut is linked to the harmony in my brain.

I also keep my mind preoccupied with my Health Coaching school, playing the ukulele, knitting, biking, dancing, photography, reading and going to classes on mindfulness and enlightenment.

My two kitties Cheeky Waters and Kika have been crucial to my healing.

I laugh more in my life with my cats.

I have a very healthy diet and rarely eat anything of refined sugar, nor do I smoke tobacco or drink alcohol.

In order for me to start feeling better, I had to shift my entire lifestyle and mindset.

I learned alternative ways of being whole, ways that nourished me instead of sabotaged me.

It took strong will, faith, and hope

for me to resurrect my spirit from the depths of darkness and sorrow.

One of the instrumental things that lifts me from the shadows of the past and anxiety of the future is exercising in nature.

I walk and bike in nature to relieve stress, preoccupy my mind with mindful positive thoughts, and to release natural endorphins.

This coming October 2017,

for ten days I want to walk

10-15 miles a day on the El Camino de Santiago, otherwise known as

"The Path of Forgiveness."

It is a pilgrimage that many people traverse across Europe for healing and revelation.

I believe that walking in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assissi, The Patron Saint for Animals, and the many others who are searching for peace and release will remind me that I am not alone in my journey

to pursue serenity and contentment.

Walking everyday in this environment will help

me to let go of all the emotional baggage that's been weighing me down.

I strongly feel it will be a life changing experience.

My goals and intentions are to be a successful entrepreneur and start my own holistic wellness clinic, one that is centered around healing naturally.

I've gone back to school and will be receiving a certificate in health coaching, so I want to integrate what I learned by helping people evolve into a healthier and more loving state.

Since I've had such a challenging time with major depression, I haven't been able to work in awhile.

I'm currently supported by my family and Chris my partner for whom I am eternally grateful.

I humbly ask for donations so that I may be able to afford this incredible trip of forgiveness and healing.

The trip is with a group.

The total I would like to raise is $7,000.

Three thousand is for the guided trip which includes most meals and lodging.

Twelve hundred is for the cost of the plane ticket.

I will need a coat, shoes, backpack, insurance, and incidentals.

I thank you for reading and also for all of those people who believe in proactive hope for a better future while still having gratitude for their blessings in the moment.

I appreciate any contribution made to my endeavor for healing and transformation.

Here is the website of the guided trip if you need more information:

http://www.redmonkeydance.com/the-journey.html

Peace and Blessings,

Melissa Soriano M.D.