How a GIF Saved the Day

Renae M. Dupuis

How a GIF Saved the Day

Posted in Capacity and Compassion Expansion, Culture Shift, Resources on February 14, 2024 , by Renae M. Dupuis

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It might surprise you to know that some days, I have an imaginary raincloud over my head.

Why am I sharing this with you?

Because yesterday was one of those days, and in the midst of it all, I realized something that might help someone else.

As you know, TraumaWise is all about equipping people who are ready to make changes to their systems through healthy relationship.

The thing about systems is that when they work well, we don’t think much about them. When they are functioning, we don’t experience friction or breakdowns. But when they don’t work….well, we tend to feel that pretty keenly. Even if we don’t think of it as a system issue, we know that something is not working.

I had a live webinar scheduled yesterday at 10 am, and I had tested my equipment the night before, had my slides all ready to go, and was so excited to talk about how to help people in a way that actually helps.

I did my morning routine, got everything ready, and logged in.

Except, I couldn’t.

For about 3 hours, I couldn’t get my computer to stay connected to the internet or to pretty much do anything it was supposed to. I’m fairly tech-savvy, but it got kind of ridiculous over here. I did ALL the things (yes, Earl, I restarted everything at least twice – thanks for checking). I called the interweb people. I took a break. I tried my hotspot.

In an effort to be vulnerable here (and it is often an effort), I admit I had some tears.

My system was broken – I felt stuck and kind of hopeless for a while.

So, I did what any reasonable person would and asked my bestie to text me gifs to make me laugh. And it worked. The clouds lifted, and I didn’t feel as stuck. I thought of a possible solution and began to put a plan in place.

My friend co-regulated me, which helped me feel connected and safe; I could finally access my internal wisdom.

This is what it is all about, friends. We need felt safety, connection, and co-regulation in order to overcome the fog of fear, hopelessness, and the effects of trauma.

If you have been trying to figure out how TraumaWise intersects with your work and life, I want you to know that wherever you are on your journey of bringing hope, community, and sustainability to your spaces and places, we’re here to support and equip you.

You have a role to play in creating the environments that bring people together to access their wisdom and heal systems that aren’t working.

When you are ready to take your next step, please let us know, and we’ll be right there with you!

Renae M. Dupuis Founder and CEO

Renae M. Dupuis, M.Div., is an influential advocate and educator dedicated to trauma-informed care. With over a decade of experience in caring for trauma-impacted youth, Renae has emerged as a prominent figure in trauma healing and resilience-building. She is the Founder and CEO of TraumaWise, which equips change agents to transform broken systems by activating trauma-informed communities. Renae's commitment to trauma-informed work began as an adoptive parent of two children with complex developmental trauma. This personal journey inspired her to become an Intensive Treatment Foster parent in Los Angeles County, providing compassionate care to vulnerable children. Her exceptional dedication led her to become a Parent Ambassador for Olive Crest, a prominent organization supporting families and youth in crisis. In 2021, Renae's passion for trauma-informed care found a professional outlet as she became a Regional Training Specialist for the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KP ICD) at TCU. She prepared and led training courses in this role, represented the Institute at conferences, and consulted with partners worldwide. Renae's exceptional ability to communicate and educate others in trauma-informed practices made her indispensable to the Institute's mission. Renae's impact expanded further as the Director of Trauma and Whole-Person Care at OC United, where she spearheaded the TraumaWise Program. Her expertise as a Community Presenter for Trauma-Informed Education influenced organizations nationally, empowering communities with trauma-informed practices. She became a Certified Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Instructor to enhance her reach and better equip others. With her personal business, Renae M. Dupuis, LLC (), Renae offers trauma-exposed individuals essential skills in mindfulness, resiliency, body awareness, and other wellness techniques. Renae's profound dedication to equipping individuals, organizations, and communities with trauma-informed practices has garnered recognition and respect in the field. Her mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students from multiple institutions has further demonstrated her commitment to nurturing the next generation of trauma-informed practitioners. In addition to her professional achievements, Renae's personal journey as a Chaplain at CHOC Children's Hospital has contributed to her deep understanding of trauma and healing. Renae's involvement in creating trauma-informed spaces and places showcases her commitment to empowering individuals to navigate their healing journey with compassion and resilience.

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If you were trying to get into the webinar and couldn’t, here is the link to the rescheduled event – https://traumawise.com/help-that-helps-live/