Quotes from Amanda Lindhout

Because travel has always been such a vital part of myself and so essential to who I am, I have made the decision to continue to put myself back out into the world. And that's not an easy decision to make.

Getting on a plane is hard for me, but I do it, because travel is vital to me.

What a woman is taught, she shares with her family.

I made a vow to myself while I was a hostage that if I were lucky enough to live and to get out of Somalia, I would do something meaningful with my life - and specifically something that would be meaningful in the country where I'd lost my freedom.

I'm not afraid of IED's, bullets, mortars.

The greatest gift you have been given is the gift of your imagination - what do you dream of wanting to do?

I am so proud to be a Canadian.

I would like to especially acknowledge my home community of Calgary, and the people of central Alberta who made my dream of freedom a reality.

The same men who are placing all these outrageous restrictions on women's freedoms in southern Somalia – that type of mentality – that's what I had to deal with in captivity.

Contemplating Christmas when you are isolated and far from home brings its own unique pain.

With awareness come responsibility and choice.

I know firsthand how critical support systems are.

My captors were definitely aware that what they were doing was wrong. It came out in small ways - occasionally through a show of guilt or compassion. One of the boys bought me a gift. Another used to sneak me acetaminophen tablets.

Being in the dark, there's a real weight to it. It's heavy.

After being in captivity for so long, I can't begin to describe how wonderful it feels to be home in Canada.

I never felt an obligation to say every single terrible thing that happened to me.

Many, including the Canadian and U.S. governments, try to provide family support while also maintaining a hard line about further fuelling terrorism and hostage-taking through ransom payments ... Still, try telling that to a mother, or a father, or a husband or wife caught in the powerless agony of standing by.

Forgiving is not an easy thing to do.

I must thank my good friend Nigel Brennan. His strength of character in the midst of extreme hardship inspired me during the darkest days. Despite our separation, he always managed to find small ways to remind me that there are gentlemen in the world, even when I was surrounded by just the opposite.

Friendships that don't fit my life anymore have faded away, and new ones have come in.

I have watched lives change. I have seen women gain confidence.

My confidence came from the way I grew up, and I'm grateful for it.

The road to recovery will not always be easy, but I will take it one day at a time, focusing on the moments I've dreamed about for so long.

I think that I find a lot of my healing out in the world.