NSU faculty publish book centered on healing, resilience and service learning

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University faculty Dr. Christy L. Hornsby and Dr. Laura B. Norman, assistant professors in the Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development, have released a new book titled “The Broken Bowl Project,” an innovative service-learning initiative that blends wellness, reflection and community engagement.

“The Broken Bowl Project” is both a hands-on workshop experience and a meaningful outreach effort designed to support individuals navigating stress, loss and life transitions. The initiative is grounded in a central question: Have you ever felt broken or hopeless and not sure what to do next? From the loss of relationships and opportunities to grief and uncertainty about the future, the project acknowledges the very real challenges individuals face and offers a structured, reflective pathway toward healing.

At the core of the workshops is a symbolic, experiential activity. Participants are invited to break a bowl, decorate its pieces, and carefully put it back together. The bowl serves as a metaphor for the individual experience, representing how life’s challenges can fracture one’s sense of self, yet also create opportunities for growth, resilience, and transformation. Through this process, participants come to understand that while brokenness may change them, it does not define them.

The book expands on the philosophy and practice behind these workshops, offering insight into the reflective process and the deeper meaning that emerges through participation. As emphasized in the text, “You were never meant to hide your broken pieces. In the hands of the person who puts themselves back together, they become part of something beautiful. You may be broken, but you are not defined.”

Beyond its conceptual foundation, “The Broken Bowl Project” is intentionally designed as a service-learning model. Students are encouraged to contribute by donating workshop supplies, allowing Hornsby and Norman to extend the experience to broader audiences. This model reinforces NSU’s commitment to community engagement by connecting student involvement with meaningful service opportunities.

To date, workshops have been conducted on the Northwestern State campus, through the Center for Positivity, Well-Being, and Hope as well in the Natchitoches community, and in surrounding parishes. The initiative has reached diverse groups, including teacher in-service programs, grief support groups and church-based small groups, demonstrating its adaptability across educational, professional and community settings.  Hornsby and Norman have also been invited to be keynote speakers at a leadership conference next year.

Through this work, Hornsby and Norman exemplify the mission of the Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development by integrating teaching, scholarship and service in ways that create lasting impact. Their book not only documents an innovative approach to well-being but also serves as a guide for others seeking to implement reflective, healing-centered practices within their own communities.

“The Broken Bowl Project” is available on Amazon at https://a.co/d/02T6oFeF.  To book a speaking engagement, contact Hornsby at hornsbyc@nsula.edu.