By: Tanya M. Long
There is a quiet moment, almost private to the point of invisibility, when a person decides the life she is carrying is not the life she will continue. No ceremony follows, no instant transformation, only a clear decision. For Edranel Bacalso Leverenz, that decision became a hinge, a turning point that redirected her days toward rooted joy, honest faith, and practical resilience.
Her memoir, RISING FROM THE ASHES: A Story of Survival and Triumph, traces this interior shift without spectacle. The narrative does not dwell on trauma; it honors the work of rebuilding. Rather than recounting every scene, it distills the principles behind her turn toward a better future, presenting a profile of a woman who chose agency, steadiness, and hope and who invites readers to consider the same.
Joy Without Pretense
In Leverenz’s world, joy is not performance. It does not deny grief; it does not require perfect timing. Instead, joy becomes a daily alignment, a decision to meet the day with gentleness and honest effort. This form of joy allows complexity, invites rest, and welcomes ordinary pleasures. Over time, it proves durable precisely because it is chosen rather than chased.
Reclaiming Agency
Her pivotal choice began with a refusal to outsource peace. Leverenz reoriented her schedule, her boundaries, and her voice. When the agency returns, decision-making simplifies. The question shifts from appeasing chaos to designing a life. This is not a dramatic overhaul; it is a cumulative design, built through one clear “yes” and one kind “no” at a time.
Faith as Daily Practice
Faith in RISING FROM THE ASHES is a rhythm, not a spectacle. It appears as a steady cadence that continues even when certainty runs thin. On difficult mornings, faith takes the form of simple
instruction: keep going. It removes the pressure to be flawless, prioritizing presence, humility, and the next right step.
Five Minutes of Grit
Resilience is often romanticized as heroic endurance. Leverenz reframes it as a series of five-minute choices that compound. Small actions, such as tidying a corner or taking a short walk, or sending a single message for help, create momentum. And momentum, in turn, strengthens belief. Motivation often follows movement, not the other way around.
Boundaries for Safety and Connection
The memoir treats boundaries as both fence and bridge. Growth requires safety, and safety requires limits that are both clear and kind. Saying yes to connection often involves saying no to what harms peace. Such practices protect the person one is becoming and create conditions for healthier, more meaningful relationships.
Clarity Through Truth-Telling
Naming reality is not negativity; it is clarity. When language becomes precise, courage becomes practical. Leverenz models honest reflection that reduces shame and invites wise action. A simple pairing “the truth is…” and “I can…turns rumination into movement, allowing healing to continue at a sustainable, human pace.
A Community That Shows Up
Progress accelerates in the presence of consistent people. The memoir highlights steady relationships that respect boundaries and reinforce worth. Community does not rescue—it accompanies. The right circle helps a person remember who they are, especially on the days they cannot remember for themselves.
Letting Joy In Early
Many wait to feel worthy of joy. Leverenz treats joy as part of the medicine. Small delights music in the kitchen, sunlight on the floor, a favorite meal—serve as signals of safety to a weary, nervous system. These moments do not erase hardship; they dignify the whole story and gently nudge it toward hope.
Why This Story Resonates Now
In a culture that celebrates dramatic “after photos,” RISING FROM THE ASHES honors the process. It values quiet beginnings, measured progress, and the ordinary practices that turn
survival into renewal. Readers will not find sensational disclosures; they will find a humane blueprint for starting again, one choice at a time.
Final Words
RISING FROM THE ASHES: A Story of Survival and Triumph by Edranel Bacalso Leverenz offers a clear, compassionate perspective on rebuilding with faith, resilience, and love. Its tone is warm, its lessons practical, and its hope deeply credible.
For readers seeking a companion for their own turning point, order RISING FROM THE ASHES in paperback or ebook today. Let these pages walk with you as you make the choice that changes everything.
