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Painfully. Honest : The Tale of a Recovering Helper
A beautiful thing has happened in the last few decades. It has become increasingly popular and Instagram-worthy to travel to marginalized spaces in our world and Help. In this book, the author, Kathy Brooks, describes her own painfully honest journey of learning how her own HELP has hurt. She casts light on how often we as helpers believe a single story about the people who live in marginalized spaces and are ignorant of the complexities within the culture. And because of that, we begin with the wrong questions, if we ask questions at all.
She shares how she, an artist turned social entrepreneur, came to terms with her own ignorance and savior mentality. She writes openly about her mistakes, which are partly hilarious and partly heart-stopping. These are the stories of a recovering Helper who arrived in Gonaives Haiti and built a small company, 2nd Story Goods, despite her many blunders. She writes candidly about her struggle of learning to lead well. She insists that true leaders make people see their own goodness and personal power. True leaders share responsibility for outcomes. And most importantly, true leaders create leaders. And all of this works well where Justice flows. We must work to establish systems where everyone has the same capacity to truly reap what we sow. Leaders run toward these systems, not from them.
It also is the narrative of great and gentle hope. It is an inspiring tale that is honest about personal faith and failures. She takes the reader through story after story of what happens as she learns to ask the right question and climb down off her self-imposed pedestal of rescuer and onto the path of becoming a true ally. Hers is a journey of learning respect and discarding pity.
She shares how she, an artist turned social entrepreneur, came to terms with her own ignorance and savior mentality. She writes openly about her mistakes, which are partly hilarious and partly heart-stopping. These are the stories of a recovering Helper who arrived in Gonaives Haiti and built a small company, 2nd Story Goods, despite her many blunders. She writes candidly about her struggle of learning to lead well. She insists that true leaders make people see their own goodness and personal power. True leaders share responsibility for outcomes. And most importantly, true leaders create leaders. And all of this works well where Justice flows. We must work to establish systems where everyone has the same capacity to truly reap what we sow. Leaders run toward these systems, not from them.
It also is the narrative of great and gentle hope. It is an inspiring tale that is honest about personal faith and failures. She takes the reader through story after story of what happens as she learns to ask the right question and climb down off her self-imposed pedestal of rescuer and onto the path of becoming a true ally. Hers is a journey of learning respect and discarding pity.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2021
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 2, 2022
I truly think this book has something important for everyone. She speaks truths that apply to us all and communicates them in beautifully crafted short stories. Think Bob Goff meets Anne Lamott! Like me, you will laugh, cry, be humbled with her, and overall walk away with more wisdom. It reads easy and quick, but cuts deep and stays with you.
It will take you on a journey that shakes you to the core with pure truth, teaches you humility like you never thought you could know, and leaves you in utter awe at the kindness of God. I will keep reading it, over and over again, because I want to take it in and to let it transform me. It's that kind of book. Someone get this book to Oprah or Brene!
It will take you on a journey that shakes you to the core with pure truth, teaches you humility like you never thought you could know, and leaves you in utter awe at the kindness of God. I will keep reading it, over and over again, because I want to take it in and to let it transform me. It's that kind of book. Someone get this book to Oprah or Brene!
September 9, 2021
Truth for those willing to listen
So much of what you've shared I've lived myself on this journey of learning to love Haiti week. Thank you for being painfully honest as it helped me process some issues I've been carrying as well.
So much of what you've shared I've lived myself on this journey of learning to love Haiti week. Thank you for being painfully honest as it helped me process some issues I've been carrying as well.
May 1, 2023
There is so much in these pages I really needed. And other things that broke my heart for the mistakes I’ve made. Haiti is an amazing place, full of beauty and people who made a lifetime impression on my heart. Thank you for your humility and painful honesty. May God continue to lead you and teach you however He/She/They sees fit. ❤️
May 14, 2025
This book felt like I was having a cup of tea with a wise friend and her opening up allowed me to do the same. I read with a smile and a nod or with tears. One time, the words hit me so profoundly that I closed the booked and just walked away, only to pick it up later that day to continue the introspective lesson. Thank you to Kathy for being honest and sharing your journey.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews