Cyndi Markey. How to embrace all of who you are after religion.

My guest today is Cyndi Markey who used to be a Jehovah's Witness. Did you know that Jahova's witnesses' cannot celebrate birthdays? They cannot socialize with people outside of their church family unless it's for work or school. Cyndi shares with me about how growing up women and children were to be seen and not heard. In High School Cyndi was able to take a class that was not an approved class from the church. She loved her teacher and he taught her critical thinking skills. She later received a scholarship but couldn't accept it as higher education was frowned upon. At 18 years old she met a guy that she loved and as nature would have it, they had sex. Cyndi was given a public reproof in front the of the church for her sin and if you were not shown to be sorry enough, you would be ex-communicated from the church. She had been told that if she disassociated herself before she was dis-fellowshiped that it would be better for her as she could still be with her family. She learned quickly that this was not the case, in fact this was much worse. Cyndi moved to Tennessee and her family followed her, she was stalked by her family and members of her church as they were trying to save her soul.  She moved from Tennessee to Arizona and then to Chicago to live with her grandmother. In Chicago she tried to establish some sort of normalcy. To her normalcy looked like establishing routines, getting a car, a job, getting friends and having a sense of community. As Cyndi tried to unpack the previous years of her life it was painful and she attempted to take her life at 21 years old. She later married a man, divorced and then had a few other marriages. She asked herself, "Why can't I find the keys to happiness?" This question propelled her into finding her healing. Cyndi breaks down finding happiness and yourself in 4 steps:1. Know Yourself2. Trust3. Teach4. Love SelfYour heart knows, Cyndi shares. Build your own resilience. Did you know there are more neurons in the heart than there are in your brain? Cyndi is now a heart math practitioner and shares some fascinating information about the power of the heart. Cyndi was an author on a book Fear to Freedom: Stories of Triumph After Leaving a High Control Religion. Get your copy today! https://www.amazon.com/Fear-Freedom-Stories-Triumph-Religion/dp/0228825652/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1647314520&sr=8-1To connect with Cyndi, visit her website: https://www.cyndimarkey.comAre you signed up for my emails yet? https://amandajoyloveland.mykajabi.com/optin?preview_theme_id=3223780Grab your tickets for my upcoming speakers symposium, Lean Into Your Light. https://www.amandajoyloveland.com/leaninLet's stay in touch!IG: @amanda.joy.lovelandFB Amanda Joy Lovelandwww.amandajoyloveland.comYouTube: Amanda Joy Loveland