Strong Like Water: Finding the Freedom, Safety, and Compassion to Move Through Hard Things--And Experience True Flourishing
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2023-03-30 06:53:28
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Aundi Kolber
- ISBN：1496454715
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Summary
From the critically acclaimed author of
Try Softer
comes a new approach to healing， wholeness， and possibly--especially--strength。
When it comes to hard circumstances， we've all heard the platitudes: "No pain， no gain。" "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger。"
These statements may be well-intentioned， but they have a cost: When we spend our lives trying to be "the strong one，" we become exhausted， burned-out， and disconnected from our truest selves。
What if it were different？ Could being "the strong one" be more than pretending and denying ourselves at every turn？ What if true strength were more like the tide: soft and bold， fierce and gentle dancing as one？
In Strong like Water， author and trauma-informed therapist Aundi Kolber offers a framework for true flourishing。 By embodying a more expansive view of strength， we can move through pain instead of being limited by it。 Through various principles， practices， and rhythms， Strong like Water shows us how to become truly strong--and begin living into who God created us to be。
When it comes to hard circumstances， we've all heard the platitudes: "No pain， no gain。" "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger。"
These statements may be well-intentioned， but they have a cost: When we spend our lives trying to be "the strong one，" we become exhausted， burned-out， and disconnected from our truest selves。
What if it were different？ Could being "the strong one" be more than pretending and denying ourselves at every turn？ What if true strength were more like the tide: soft and bold， fierce and gentle dancing as one？
In Strong like Water， author and trauma-informed therapist Aundi Kolber offers a framework for true flourishing。 By embodying a more expansive view of strength， we can move through pain instead of being limited by it。 Through various principles， practices， and rhythms， Strong like Water shows us how to become truly strong--and begin living into who God created us to be。
Reviews
Kristina
，
Another amazing resource and book by Aundi Kolber。 The weaving together of spirituality， psychology and neurobiology is magnificently done。 This is a book as educational as it is practical， and I’m sure it is one I will come back to （and share with others） time and time again just like her previous book Try Softer。
Craigm
，
With the addition of Strong Like Water to her previous classic， Try Softer， Aundi Kolber has established herself as a leading author on integrating trauma recovery and Christian spirituality。 The title， Strong Like Water， is an outstanding image of the kind of healing and resilience promoted in the book。 The book is broken into two sections。 The first， encompassing chapters one through three， covers essential background material for what is to come。 The second， encompassing the majority of the b With the addition of Strong Like Water to her previous classic， Try Softer， Aundi Kolber has established herself as a leading author on integrating trauma recovery and Christian spirituality。 The title， Strong Like Water， is an outstanding image of the kind of healing and resilience promoted in the book。 The book is broken into two sections。 The first， encompassing chapters one through three， covers essential background material for what is to come。 The second， encompassing the majority of the book in chapters four through ten， provides various characteristics included in being strong like water。 The chapters include diagnostic sidebars to help the reader better understand oneself and how they my exhibit aspects of each topic and end with exercises to help one increase that characteristic of being strong like water。 The approach of the whole book is gentle， loving， and kind toward our weaknesses while encouraging us to take the next step in our healing。 Overall， I highly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced trauma， loss， felt unsafe， or knows someone who has。 This likely includes all of us。 。。。more
Joy Steffen
，
4。5 stars rounded up to 5。 Aundi’s work is groundbreaking and incredibly helpful。 She encourages her readers to slow down and process trauma in order to bring true healing。
Liz Nies
，
I read Aundi’s first book when it first came out several years ago and have been waiting for a second ever sense！ The alignment of faith and neuroscience with a focus on healing takes my breath away。 I would recommend this book to all， but especially those looking for a way out of their trauma and into a more integrated life！
Leah Jacobs
，
Aundi writes with such conviction， generosity， and wisdom。 I love how this book encourages and inspires us all。
Andrea Lloyd
，
I read Aundi’s first book， Try Softer， three times through because it was so new and life-changing for me。 I had high hopes for Strong Like Water and it does not disappoint！ Her approach of compassion will help you understand and lean into your strength and help you realize just how strong you are！ Highly recommend for everyone and especially for those who have survived trauma and need help being rooted in their belovedness。 I am so grateful for her work。
Sara
，
After reading Try Softer by Aundi a couple years ago， I couldn't wait to read Strong Like Water。 I appreciate the way Aundi walks you through practical ways to have compassion with yourself and not just push through difficult situations in life。 When reading her books， it almost feels like she is speaking right to me。 Aundi is gentle and kind with her words and offers practical ways to approach trauma with a new lens of gentleness and compassion with self。 I really love that she continuously rem After reading Try Softer by Aundi a couple years ago， I couldn't wait to read Strong Like Water。 I appreciate the way Aundi walks you through practical ways to have compassion with yourself and not just push through difficult situations in life。 When reading her books， it almost feels like she is speaking right to me。 Aundi is gentle and kind with her words and offers practical ways to approach trauma with a new lens of gentleness and compassion with self。 I really love that she continuously reminds her reader to honor their story and personal experiences while paving a new path and different way forward。 I highly recommend Strong Like Water。 It will be a book I refer back to many， many times。 。。。more
John Scott
，
Like Kolber’s other book Try Softer， this book is easy to read and makes so much sense。 The author’s perspective is personal， faith based and scientifically sound。 Her genuine， compassionate and practical approach makes this book easy to read and desirable to share。 Highly recommended！
Amanda Conroy
，
This book was ok。 There was some great stuff as far as trauma ， mental health， and providing tools for healing and change。 This book interweaves the Christian faith and mental health ， however she is not theologically sound。 For example， she quoted scripture “ love your neighbor as yourself” and she mentioned how Jesus wants us to love ourselves。 False。 We already love ourselves 。 He commands us to love others how we love ourselves。 I’m thinking this author is more on the side of prosperity gosp This book was ok。 There was some great stuff as far as trauma ， mental health， and providing tools for healing and change。 This book interweaves the Christian faith and mental health ， however she is not theologically sound。 For example， she quoted scripture “ love your neighbor as yourself” and she mentioned how Jesus wants us to love ourselves。 False。 We already love ourselves 。 He commands us to love others how we love ourselves。 I’m thinking this author is more on the side of prosperity gospel and progressivism ， which is false Christianity。 。。。more
Merethe Turner
，
This book is SO important。 Aundi describes how trauma impacts our bodies （which a lot of us have experienced some form of） and the importance of being loving and gentle with ourselves with some practical tools。 She’s able to connect what we know about trauma with the Christian faith in such a good and important way。
Tsaśa West
，
Strong Like Water holds many resources I found helpful in navigating a world where I want to be fiercely gentle， while being strong in the right ways。 Aundi has a gift for writing in a way that gets to my core。 We all face traumas of some sort， and knowing how to walk through them healthily is vital。I recommend both books by this author， but this one specifically for the resources it provides。 It in itself is a resource worth trying for yourself。 Thanks， Aundi。 Keep shining！
Jensen Harrell
，
Aundi's first book， Try Softer， was a game changer for my journey。 When I heard she was writing a new book， I knew I had to read it， too。 Strong like Water shows us how to think and engage strength with gentleness and compassion- not just pushing through for the sake of being strong。 I am so excited for all of the compassionate resources in this book and I know this will be a book I keep coming back to。 Aundi's first book， Try Softer， was a game changer for my journey。 When I heard she was writing a new book， I knew I had to read it， too。 Strong like Water shows us how to think and engage strength with gentleness and compassion- not just pushing through for the sake of being strong。 I am so excited for all of the compassionate resources in this book and I know this will be a book I keep coming back to。 。。。more
Stacy McNeely
，
I cannot say enough about the power of this book。 As a trauma and grief therapist， the expertise that Aundi offers along with heartfelt care is exactly what we all need。 I am so thankful that she followed up Try Softer with this， another book filled with hope， empowerment and health。
Jaime Coy
，
Here are some words that come to mind halfway through the book: spiritual， trauma focused/informed， gentle， steady， informative， practical， wise， helpful， respectful， validating。 As a human being walking through life， I highly recommend it。 As a therapist helping others walk through life， I don't think twice about recommending it。 For those who have been wounded by the church， I encourage you to consider NOT reading this book until you are ready to do so。 There are Scripture references that may Here are some words that come to mind halfway through the book: spiritual， trauma focused/informed， gentle， steady， informative， practical， wise， helpful， respectful， validating。 As a human being walking through life， I highly recommend it。 As a therapist helping others walk through life， I don't think twice about recommending it。 For those who have been wounded by the church， I encourage you to consider NOT reading this book until you are ready to do so。 There are Scripture references that may be unsettling/triggering or uncomfortable。 Not reading this book isn't a sign of weakness but more of you taking care of yourself and honoring your desire for safety。 。。。more
Valerie
，
I am a trauma survivor and will be all of my days。 Aundi Kolbers experience as a trauma survivor and trauma counselor has been deeply healing in her professional， scientific and spiritual approach。 Healing in understanding why we struggle and suffer is freedom。 It is new life。 I highly recommend。
Sarah
，
Just like all of Aundi’s work， this book is another amazing resource filled with practical applications， gentle， soft language and beautiful grace around anxiety and trauma。 When I read anything by Aundi， it feels like I’m getting a sweet hug and much needed guidance and advice from a close friend。 Anyone who’s been through trauma knows how hard it can be to heal， how difficult it often is to know where to start and how slowing down and being gentle with oneself can feel almost impossible。 I app Just like all of Aundi’s work， this book is another amazing resource filled with practical applications， gentle， soft language and beautiful grace around anxiety and trauma。 When I read anything by Aundi， it feels like I’m getting a sweet hug and much needed guidance and advice from a close friend。 Anyone who’s been through trauma knows how hard it can be to heal， how difficult it often is to know where to start and how slowing down and being gentle with oneself can feel almost impossible。 I appreciated how Aundi wove together research， psychology， Christianity， personal experiences and client accounts。This book gave me practical tools and permission in so many areas along my healing journey and I have no doubt it will do the same for you！ I can’t recommend this book enough。 Aundi is a gifted writer， skilled counselor and brings a softness to the world of trauma and anxiety that is so desperately needed！ 。。。more
MJ Thach
，
"When we attend to our boundaries， emotions， and trauma we open ourselves to love in the form of safety， connection & belonging。" I don't know about you - but I needed those words and this book。 Aundi weaves her story， her experience as a therapist， and practical steps into one beautifully flowing book that left me feeling more tender to myself and my people AND stronger for learning a different mode of being。 If you're the "strong one" and you're tired - get this book now。 "When we attend to our boundaries， emotions， and trauma we open ourselves to love in the form of safety， connection & belonging。" I don't know about you - but I needed those words and this book。 Aundi weaves her story， her experience as a therapist， and practical steps into one beautifully flowing book that left me feeling more tender to myself and my people AND stronger for learning a different mode of being。 If you're the "strong one" and you're tired - get this book now。 。。。more
Ann Frazier
，
Aundi Kolber's writing is clear， concise， easy to grasp and immensely helpful。 Like her book， Try Softer， her new release， Strong Like Water， does not disappoint。 Many of us， as well as loved ones， have suffered different kinds of trauma in our lifetime， but maybe didn't have the upbringing or support we needed to process it at the time。 Aundi's concept of paying compassionate attention to what is going on in our bodies is lifechanging。 Stifled pain and stuffed down emotions have an effect on us Aundi Kolber's writing is clear， concise， easy to grasp and immensely helpful。 Like her book， Try Softer， her new release， Strong Like Water， does not disappoint。 Many of us， as well as loved ones， have suffered different kinds of trauma in our lifetime， but maybe didn't have the upbringing or support we needed to process it at the time。 Aundi's concept of paying compassionate attention to what is going on in our bodies is lifechanging。 Stifled pain and stuffed down emotions have an effect on us over time and show up in many ways。 We white knuckle through situations to survive and don't even know we are doing it - maybe for many years。 It seems almost counterintuitive to pay compassionate attention to what is going on inside of us， but it is oh so necessary for healing， for wholeness， for thriving in this life， rather than just surviving。 I believe it is God's plan as well， since He created us body， soul and spirit。 Treating ourselves in this kind way is a reflection of His own tender love for us and improves not just our own life but our relationships with others。 I am very impressed， not just with Audi's professional insight， but her heart's desire to reach many with this crucial information。 。。。more
Kimberly Aroney Smith
，
Wow， just wow。 I’m in the middle of the audio book of Strong Like Water， and once my pre-ordered copy arrives this week， it will get highlighted heavily。 “We cannot logic ourselves into safety or out of trauma。” This quote （and so many others） deeply resonates with me。 As a survivor of complex family trauma， both in my family of origin and in my marriage， Aundi’s words and wisdom are allowing the healing floodgates to open in my soul。 Love， not fear is the way to healing as she encourages us to Wow， just wow。 I’m in the middle of the audio book of Strong Like Water， and once my pre-ordered copy arrives this week， it will get highlighted heavily。 “We cannot logic ourselves into safety or out of trauma。” This quote （and so many others） deeply resonates with me。 As a survivor of complex family trauma， both in my family of origin and in my marriage， Aundi’s words and wisdom are allowing the healing floodgates to open in my soul。 Love， not fear is the way to healing as she encourages us to live out of our identity as The Beloved of God。 So honored to help carry Strong Like Water into the world。I can’t recommend it enough！ 。。。more
Michelle
，
Aundi is a gifted writer。 She is the voice you want to interact with and internalize as your own。 I loved her first book Try Softer and was equally grateful for Strong Like Water。 It is practical on so many levels especially giving language to the process of growing/healing。
Deb Entsminger
，
I am currently listening to Aundi Kolber's newest book and already blown away by the treasure I've heard。 Even in the first few chapters the content is well worth the price of the book and then some！ Her first book helped me understand attachments and their impact on my life more than anything else I've read on this。 I recommend that highly and this second book is NOT just a repeat of the first book though she shares in the introduction she wrote it so it can also stand alone。 I highly recommend I am currently listening to Aundi Kolber's newest book and already blown away by the treasure I've heard。 Even in the first few chapters the content is well worth the price of the book and then some！ Her first book helped me understand attachments and their impact on my life more than anything else I've read on this。 I recommend that highly and this second book is NOT just a repeat of the first book though she shares in the introduction she wrote it so it can also stand alone。 I highly recommend and can't wait to finish reading！ 。。。more
Trishla Shah
，
I love Aundi and her work。 I first began reading her book Try Softer about 8 months ago and was introduced to her book on Christianity Today Podcast。 I was so excited to be able to read more by her and compassionate resourcing in Strong Like Water。 The way in which she reframes ideas and enlightens your perspective on cliches of supposed motivation is what really struck me。 Many things we say and have believed can actually complicate our views of how “strong” we are supposed to be causing more h I love Aundi and her work。 I first began reading her book Try Softer about 8 months ago and was introduced to her book on Christianity Today Podcast。 I was so excited to be able to read more by her and compassionate resourcing in Strong Like Water。 The way in which she reframes ideas and enlightens your perspective on cliches of supposed motivation is what really struck me。 Many things we say and have believed can actually complicate our views of how “strong” we are supposed to be causing more harm them good if we don’t approach this conventional wisdom from the right lens was one of the biggest takeaways。 Much of pushing myself too hard made me realize I am stronger than I think and it looks different than what I thought it had to look like。 I’m grateful for Aundi sharing her wisdom in this way。 。。。more
Tara
，
This book is a wonderful tool to living life from a healthier place。 Aundi helped me untangle my past pain and hurt。 She coached me to listen gently to what my body and emotions are telling me。 I will re-read this book often！
Jennifer
，
If you read and loved Aundi’s 1st book， Try Softer， you need to run （not walk） and get this。 It’s not a sequel but it holds the same gentle compassion for trauma survivors， along with practical tools to find the space for healing。 Genuinely can’t recommend these books enough。 They’ve changed my perspective on myself and how to honor my experiences while moving forward in a new way。
Rcdyba
，
Strong like water is a gentle balm for the broken soul who has been far too hard on herself for far too long。 Kolber's voice of encouragement， love， and understanding is a source of healing particularly for those of us who have been through unthinkable and unexpected crises。 SLW is a beautiful balance of faith and therapy that offers hope in hard times。 Strong like water is a gentle balm for the broken soul who has been far too hard on herself for far too long。 Kolber's voice of encouragement， love， and understanding is a source of healing particularly for those of us who have been through unthinkable and unexpected crises。 SLW is a beautiful balance of faith and therapy that offers hope in hard times。 。。。more
Eric Ford
，
I am over halfway through Strong Like Water by Aundi Kolber。 As a therapist-in-training and as someone who values seeing people heal from past trauma， I can say that I wholeheartedly recommend and endorse this book。 Aundi's perspective of strength that proves futile in our lives， and strength that is rooted in healing and wholeness， particularly in God's image and strength， is worth noting and worth reading about。 Aundi's unique approach as both a trauma-informed counselor， sensitive writer， and I am over halfway through Strong Like Water by Aundi Kolber。 As a therapist-in-training and as someone who values seeing people heal from past trauma， I can say that I wholeheartedly recommend and endorse this book。 Aundi's perspective of strength that proves futile in our lives， and strength that is rooted in healing and wholeness， particularly in God's image and strength， is worth noting and worth reading about。 Aundi's unique approach as both a trauma-informed counselor， sensitive writer， and compassionate guide promises to be of help to any reader looking to better their own healing journey。 I highly recommend this book。 。。。more
Aimee Fritsch
，
Aundi's second book is just as amazing as the first。 She brings together the worlds of trauma therapy and healing with Christianity， drawing out the connection to a loving God who desires our flourishing。 It's inviting， not forceful， and as a survivor I felt seen and cherished。 The skills are evidence-based， bringing in the extra resource of the Christian faith to best practice trauma therapy tools。 I'm recommending it to my friends and even my therapist！ You're going to love this book。 Aundi's second book is just as amazing as the first。 She brings together the worlds of trauma therapy and healing with Christianity， drawing out the connection to a loving God who desires our flourishing。 It's inviting， not forceful， and as a survivor I felt seen and cherished。 The skills are evidence-based， bringing in the extra resource of the Christian faith to best practice trauma therapy tools。 I'm recommending it to my friends and even my therapist！ You're going to love this book。 。。。more
Monica H （TeaandBooks）
，
I am not quite done listening to this gem but I have been so appreciative of Aundi's message and her work。 I am learning and growing。 I already feel it is worth 5 stars。I have been thankful to have an early audible copy of this book as part of the launch team。 I am not quite done listening to this gem but I have been so appreciative of Aundi's message and her work。 I am learning and growing。 I already feel it is worth 5 stars。I have been thankful to have an early audible copy of this book as part of the launch team。 。。。more
Nik Norris
，
I took so many notes reading this book。 It was so refreshing and helped me process a lot。
Nikki Thompson
，
This book is changing the way I view my own strength。 As a therapist myself， I think I’ve developed this implicit shame for my coping mechanisms to my trauma。 And yet， Aundi’s words and writing are showing me the blessed gift they’ve been to survive。 As I’m growing in my own journey to heal， I gave bless this God-given strength， while also allowing my softness to coexist with it。 This allows for a more fluid strength…a strength that is strong like water。
tpg0
，
As an AI language model， I do not have personal opinions or experiences similar to human beings， but I can provide a brief overview of the book "Strong Like Water: Finding the Freedom， Safety， and Compassion to Move Through Hard Things--And Experience True Flourishing" by Laila Tarraf。 "Strong Like Water" is a book that speaks about how to find the strength and resilience to move through life's challenges， whether it's personal or professional。 The book takes inspiration from water， which is both powerful and adaptable to changing circumstances。 The author uses water as a metaphor to encourage readers to tap into their inner strength and adaptability to overcome obstacles and thrive。 The book offers a blend of personal stories， insights， and practical exercises to help readers develop resiliency， balance， and compassion。 The author， Laila Tarraf， is an executive coach and leadership development expert who has worked with many clients to help them overcome challenges in their personal and professional lives。 She draws on her coaching experience and mental health expertise to guide readers through a process of developing resilience and compassion。 Overall， "Strong Like Water" is a practical and inspirational guide for anyone looking to find strength and resilience in the face of life's challenges。
tpg1
，
As an AI language model， I do not have personal preferences or experiences， but I can provide an overview of the book。 "Strong Like Water" is a self-help book written by Laila Tarraf。 The book emphasizes the importance of developing resiliency and building emotional strength to navigate through hardships and adversity。 Through personal anecdotes and researched perspectives， Tarraf provides insights on how to cultivate compassion， body awareness， and community support in order to find a sense of peace and well-being。 The author suggests that by embracing and accessing our innate qualities， we can achieve transformative growth and make positive changes in our lives。 The book has received positive reviews， with readers stating that it is a highly impactful and empowering read。 It is recommended for anyone who needs guidance on how to overcome obstacles and improve their mental and emotional health。
tpg2
，