Laura Davis

I write books that change peoples' lives. The Courage to Heal and The Courage to Heal Workbook have paved the way for hundreds of thousands of women and men to heal from the trauma of sexual abuse. Becoming the Parent You Want to Be, a rich resource guide co-authored with parenting expert Janis Keyser, helps parents develop a vision for the families they want to create. And the first book I wrote inspired by my relationship with my mother, I Thought We'd Never Speak Again: The Road from Estrangement to Reconciliation teaches the skills of reconciliation and peace building to the world, one relationship at a time. My latest book, my first memoir: The Burning Light of Two Stars: A Mother-Daughter Story, which tells the story of my dramatic and tumultuous relationship with my mother from the time of my birth until her death from a much more dramatic, intimate, and personal point of view. It gives a no-holds-barred peek at the real me-the woman behind the teacher, the facilitator, the author. In the course of my long career as a communicator, I have been a columnist, a talk show host, and a radio news reporter. My other passion—aside from writing—is teaching and encouraging others to write. I love building writing communities where people can find their voice, tell their stories and hone their craft.

Balinese Dance Class

Balinese dance class at our hotel. One of the things I love about Puri Lumbung is that it’s also a center for community activities–like this dance class. What a sweet thing to watch on our last afternoon. And here’s the boys:

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I’m No Longer Waiting For …

I read this poem as today’s first writing prompt in our afternoon writing class. The prompt was to use the repeating line: “I’m no longer waiting for…” Advent of Midlife I am no longer waiting for A special occasion; I burn the best candles on ordinary days. I am no longer waiting for The house

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Beyond Tumeric

The Munduk area, where we are finishing up our trip to Bali, is cooler and has the right conditions for growing many of the world’s spices: cloves, turmeric, nutmeg, vanilla, 11 kinds of ginger, greater and lesser galangal, as well as cocoa and coffee. The Balinese use every part of the clove for medicine and

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The Last Hike…To The Waterfall

If you have to depend on Bali trail signage to find your way, you’re definitely heading into sketchy territory. Check out all the pictures and captions. Uh…which way do I go? But luckily we have a guide, two guides actually. Surya and Ketut. Finally, five turns later, another sign: “Waterfull.” Arrow to the left This

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Ultimate Customer Service

There’s a bit of stomach upset running through our some members of our group. When I asked at the hotel desk what the locals do for the runs, they said “coconut water.” When I passed that news on, Evelyn went to order some coconut water for Pat. The waiter said, “I’ll climb up a tree

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Final Days

We’re in the last two days of our Bali trip. settled in at my favorite spot: Munduk. There are many stories and images I have wanted to share with you, the Wi-Fi here does not accommodate uploading very much. I have one post I’ve been trying to upload for two days! For those of you

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Balinese Boundaries

I saw rice grains hanging from a rose apple tree. I asked Surya, “Is it a rice offering?” He said, “No, it means, ‘This is our fruit. Don’t pick it.” Keep out, Balinese style. The protected fruit.

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From the End to the Beginning

Yesterday, before we left Ubud for Munduk, we rearranged our entire day’s schedule because Surya told us that there was going to be a mass cremation ceremony at the Temple in the Monkey Forest—57 people being cremated at once—and that we could walk there to witness it. I’ve done this twice before in Bali and

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Arrival in Munduk

Arrival in Munduk in the cool mountain region of Bali. My favorite stop on our journey. Listening to a sunset talk by Surya on traditional Balinese healing and medicine while looking at this….and drinking a cold beer. Photo by Marsha Morgan. This is just a minute from my new room. Offerings to the Gods…. Sunset

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Dawn Report: Ubud, Bali

One of the favorite assignments I give my writing students requires a bit of sacrifice: waking up at 4:30 in the morning, meeting at 5:00 and walking down Monkey Forest Road, one long city block to the morning market. In the early morning, starting at 4, this market is where the local women come to

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