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Broken Places: A Sacred Journey of Repair
May the sacred cuts of life deepen you.
May your broken places serve.
“For most of us, forgiveness is a long-haul healing process. It’s not cheap and easy. And it ain’t for softies. It’s a toe-to-toe heavyweight boxing match with a seemingly impenetrable opponent. It’s brutal blows and endless rounds. Hits that land us face down on the mat. Like everyone, I’ve taken hits. I almost didn’t get back up.”
-from the Prelude
Like all human beings, you have encountered many pitfalls in your life’s journey.
Some may seem so deep that you think you can’t make your way out of them—but you can, every single time.
Forgiveness is the way out.
Loss. Betrayal. Violence. Injustice.
Eventually, everything breaks.
Part memoir, part exploration of the world’s great wisdom traditions, Broken Places is about living beyond the cracks. It traces the turbulent process of forgiveness from first strike to repair, reconciliation, and, ultimately, renewal. Healing is a hero’s journey.
De Rossi’s candid narrative is a road map for anyone who has fallen prey to emotional devastation, who now struggles to get back up, find balance, and live without regrets. In every moment, there is a inner peace or inner turmoil. With genuine insight, a new story emerges—a crucible for growth. Our resurrections become flickers of hope for others lost in the darkness.
Forgiveness is the bridge to transformation. To happiness. And to each other.
Includes an enlightening interview with Dr. Bernie Siegel, MD, author of Love, Medicine, and Miracles.
May your broken places serve.
“For most of us, forgiveness is a long-haul healing process. It’s not cheap and easy. And it ain’t for softies. It’s a toe-to-toe heavyweight boxing match with a seemingly impenetrable opponent. It’s brutal blows and endless rounds. Hits that land us face down on the mat. Like everyone, I’ve taken hits. I almost didn’t get back up.”
-from the Prelude
Like all human beings, you have encountered many pitfalls in your life’s journey.
Some may seem so deep that you think you can’t make your way out of them—but you can, every single time.
Forgiveness is the way out.
Loss. Betrayal. Violence. Injustice.
Eventually, everything breaks.
Part memoir, part exploration of the world’s great wisdom traditions, Broken Places is about living beyond the cracks. It traces the turbulent process of forgiveness from first strike to repair, reconciliation, and, ultimately, renewal. Healing is a hero’s journey.
De Rossi’s candid narrative is a road map for anyone who has fallen prey to emotional devastation, who now struggles to get back up, find balance, and live without regrets. In every moment, there is a inner peace or inner turmoil. With genuine insight, a new story emerges—a crucible for growth. Our resurrections become flickers of hope for others lost in the darkness.
Forgiveness is the bridge to transformation. To happiness. And to each other.
Includes an enlightening interview with Dr. Bernie Siegel, MD, author of Love, Medicine, and Miracles.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2024
15 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 14, 2025
The night before I finished Broken Places, I found myself slowing down—I didn’t want it to end. It may sit on the self-help shelf, but it belongs just as much in the contemplative or spiritual section. R.J. De Rossi blends insights from world religions with a modern, witty voice, making complex ideas both clear and engaging. His gift for bringing stories of world religious history into clear, approachable language makes the writing feel both insightful and deeply human.
What surprised me most was the balance between wisdom and wit. De Rossi is often funny, without ever losing the depth of his subject. Interwoven with reflections on belief, purpose, and connection are glimpses into the challenges that shaped him. These personal elements are engaging, never self-indulgent, and they serve the larger themes with honesty and grace.
A couple of noteworthy passages... In one, a character says, “It’s taken me 37 years to forgive him,” after believing a doctor’s failures caused her husband’s death. De Rossi likens long-held resentment to parenting: “Oddly, our grievances are very much our children. We give birth to them. We nurture them… Then, like rebellious teenagers, we have to try to rein them in and ultimately let them go.”
I was struck by another line that felt both poetic and true: “God is hidden in the broken places. Peace and healing lie beyond the cracks we collect from a fully lived life. In piercing through the veil of grief, we see how flimsy it was all along. We get a taste of the sweetness on the other side. We glimpse God.”
Broken Places is sophisticated without being pretentious, wise without being heavy, and heartfelt without being sentimental. It’s the kind of book that stays with you—one I’ll be revisiting in challenging moments of my own journey.
What surprised me most was the balance between wisdom and wit. De Rossi is often funny, without ever losing the depth of his subject. Interwoven with reflections on belief, purpose, and connection are glimpses into the challenges that shaped him. These personal elements are engaging, never self-indulgent, and they serve the larger themes with honesty and grace.
A couple of noteworthy passages... In one, a character says, “It’s taken me 37 years to forgive him,” after believing a doctor’s failures caused her husband’s death. De Rossi likens long-held resentment to parenting: “Oddly, our grievances are very much our children. We give birth to them. We nurture them… Then, like rebellious teenagers, we have to try to rein them in and ultimately let them go.”
I was struck by another line that felt both poetic and true: “God is hidden in the broken places. Peace and healing lie beyond the cracks we collect from a fully lived life. In piercing through the veil of grief, we see how flimsy it was all along. We get a taste of the sweetness on the other side. We glimpse God.”
Broken Places is sophisticated without being pretentious, wise without being heavy, and heartfelt without being sentimental. It’s the kind of book that stays with you—one I’ll be revisiting in challenging moments of my own journey.
September 12, 2024
Powerful and Emotional Read
A compelling and emotional read, "Broken Places" masterfully explores trauma, healing, and human resilience. Rossi’s characters are flawed yet relatable, making their journey deeply impactful. Highly recommended!
A compelling and emotional read, "Broken Places" masterfully explores trauma, healing, and human resilience. Rossi’s characters are flawed yet relatable, making their journey deeply impactful. Highly recommended!
April 23, 2024
A moving tale of healing
This is a tale of healing the body and spirit and a lesson for all! I am inspired and renewed.
This is a tale of healing the body and spirit and a lesson for all! I am inspired and renewed.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews