Through Thorns I Thrive: A Spiritual Journey Through the Depths of Hell to Finding Heaven Here on Earth

By Carla Lindgren Coates

Growing up, Carla, and her family the Lindgrens, faced many challenges and hardships.
Through a series of heartbreaking events, her self-esteem diminished and her feelings of inadequacy as a woman caused her to spiral into a deep depression. Battling obesity and infertility kept her in the depths of despair for fifteen long, agonizing years.
Just at the time when she thought she would go over the edge, tragic events miraculously saved her from doing the unthinkable and created the shift she needed and gave her the hope and will to live again.
Through her challenges and adversities, she learned her biggest lessons and was able to find joy and happiness.
Through Thorns I Thrive is a story of a journey through hell, of heartache and pain, coming out the other side and finding heaven here on earth. It offers inspiration and hope that there is a way out of the darkness, and that love, for oneself, for others, and for God, is the answer and heals all wounds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jun 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781452574530

Carla Lindgren Coates

Carla Lindgren Coates knows firsthand the process to re-inventing yourself. She has trained with globally respected experts including Bob Proctor, Chris and Janet Bray Attwood, Stephen Garrett, Kieron Sweeney, and many other transformational leaders. She is a certified LifeSuccess consultant, Passion Test facilitator, speaker, and author. She has lead mastermind groups and facilitated her own workshops and seminars in the personal development field. Her passion is to inspire others to transform their lives as she has. She lives in Alberta, Canada.

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Copyright © 2013 Carla Lindgren Coates.

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The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-4525-7452-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-7453-0 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 6/4/2013

CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

Part I - The Depths Of Hell

1.   Going To The Dogs

2.   Life’s Not So Bad

3.   Babies, Precious Babies

4.   Depression Hurts

5.   The Easy Way Out

6.   Our Good Son

Part II - The Turning Point

7.   Farewell Party

8.   Wait! It’s Not About The Weight

9.   Happiness Lies Within

10.   Addicted To Happiness

11.   Another Broken Heart

Part III - Heaven Here On Earth

12.   Losing My Religion

13.   Living Heaven Here On Earth

Conclusion

Epilogue

Resources

Bibliography

About The Author

Praise for Through Thorns I Thrive

A daring exposé of Carla’s most important journey—the voyage from her ego, separation, and aloneness to the one she really is. It is a wonderful example of one’s actual life being the pathway home.

Stephen Garrett

Author, When Death Speaks

Carla courageously exposes her life’s lessons and gifts them to all readers displaying that there is hope when one chooses to uncover their emotional blocks, clear them and incorporate proven methodologies and techniques to achieve a state of happiness and well being that all humans desire. Her journey could be your journey and as such a healing path awaits the reader.

Kieron Sweeney

Mindset Coach and Transformational Trainer

This book is food for your soul. I laughed, I cried, and I felt deeply touched, moved, and inspired. As you read through the pages you will be swept away on a heartfelt journey from challenges to blessings in disguise.

Darren Jacklin

Professional Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Angel Investor

www.DarrenJacklin.com

We are born for a very important reason. No one is exempt from that. Carla’s personal journey will give so many people permission to find their courage to discover just how amazing and important they are to all of Humanity! Share this book with someone who can benefit from the intimate inspiration that Carla generously gives.

Deborah M Borges, LSC, RHN

Personal Responsibility Expert

Carla’s book is an inspiring lesson on how you can turn your life around with hard work. This book reminded me about all the strategies she has taught me through her life courses that have helped me to be positive and grateful. It is truly from her soul; thank you for sharing your passion with the world. My hope is that she can reach more people like myself, to change their lives and the ones around them. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Your biggest fan,

Donna Hagglund, wife and mother

"Through Thorns I Thrive is a journey taken through the heart of a woman who found the courage to overcome many of the challenges we as mothers, sisters, and wives are forced to confront at one time or another in our lives. Carla’s story is heartrending and real, transforming and inspiring."

Sandy Bucholtz

Author, Letters From Heaven Love Mom xo

www.sandybucholtz.com

A spiritual, heartfelt journey from chaos to coherence. Carla has written a heartfelt narrative of a life worth the struggle when it leads to happiness and love.

Christopher Cribb

Certified LifeSuccess Consultant~Recruiter

Certified Passion Test Facilitator

www.christophercribb.lifesuccessconsultants.com

"Through Thorns I Thrive is a book that, once you start, you can’t put down! It’s inspiring and touches the reader in a personal way. As we read each well-written chapter we were pulled deeper into the candid story of Carla’s life. By opening her heart and soul she helps us all see that we are human and we can choose to believe in ourselves and our capacity to conquer life struggles. Carla lovingly provides hope, understanding, and guidance to the hurting or struggling soul."

Rick and Leisa Olson

Parent/Family Coaches, Authors, Creators of the F.U.S.E. Family Programs, and Certified LifeSuccess Consultants

This book is written for anyone who suffers from depression or loss. May you find the light. The love of God will take you there and heal your heart.

The Rose

Some say love, it is a river that drowns a tender reed

Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed

Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need

I say love it is a flower, and you it’s only seed

It’s the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance

And the dream afraid of waking that never takes a chance

It’s the one who won’t be taken, that can not seem to give

And the soul afraid of dying, that never learns to live

When the night has been to lonely and the road has been to long

And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong

Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snow

Lies a seed that with the suns love, in the spring becomes the rose.

Amanda McBroom

FOREWORD

H ave you ever felt unhappy or that your life wasn’t what you thought it would be? Are you always searching for more happiness and not finding it? Whether you know it yet or not, it is your birthright as a human being to live a purposeful and passionate life.

The book you hold in your hand is a simple, yet profound example of how it is possible to change your life no matter what your circumstances.

It all begins with the thoughts you think about yourself. Most people think there is a world out there separate from themselves. They fall into the trap that creates fear, suffering, and unhappiness. Yet you have a choice.

What you believe, you will create. What would you rather believe? That life will always be difficult and disappointing or that the universe is full of abundance and adventure? Would you rather live a mediocre and automatic life, or a magnificent and authentic one? Would you rather believe the world is a dangerous place or that everything and everyone in it is here to support you on your journey?

You have the ability to choose what you think and what you believe. If you are not happy with the way things are, you have the ability to change, just the way Carla did.

When you begin to be grateful for the things you have, and appreciate that every moment on this earth is a gift, you will find more joy. What you put your attention on grows stronger in your life.

Finding your passions and following your heart will lead you effortlessly on to fulfill your unique and special purpose for being alive. When you are living on purpose, you are aligned with your destiny. You have special gifts given to you so you may share them with the world. When you share your gifts with others, both your life and theirs will be richer.

Through Thorns I Thrive is a perfect example that life is a magnificent journey. We all have difficulties in our life, but we can choose how we react and learn the lessons they are meant to teach us. It is our natural state to shine and thrive, and grow stronger through our trials. Everything you experience is what makes you who you are. Embrace your true nature. It is never too late to discover who you are or why you are here. Once you do you will never look back.

Chris Attwood, co-author of the New York

Times bestseller The Passion Test: The Effortless

Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose

PREFACE

When we are no longer able to change a situation,

we are challenged to change ourselves.

~Viktor Frankl

W hen I was a young girl, I watched the movie The Rose , based on the life of Janis Joplin and starring Bette Midler.