Lets encourage each other!! =)
Being sexually assaulted has the ability to turn your world upside down.
It can make you question your choices, and yourself.
It can hurt beyond belief, cause fear and anxiety and just general confusion.
Thats where I'm at right now. Confusion.
The kind of confusion that goes so deep that you start to question every little thing.
It creates moments when I can almost forget who I am, and why I want to keep fighting.
Thats what brought me here. My genuine desire to overcome this, and to be ok no matter how confusing this healing process can get.
So I thought maybe I could share who I am, and why I want to keep fighting.
And I really want to encourage others to comment with the same.
I'd love it if we could encourage each other with our strength.
It can be so easy to get our identity from the abuse that has happened to us, but you know what, beyond that, we are all beautiful people, with the most amazing futures!
So this is who I am:
- I am STRONG
- I am loving
- I am polite
- I am determined
- I am a leader
- I am a WORLD CHANGER
- I am an overcomer
- I am beautiful
- I am kind
- I am patient
- I am LOVED
- I am a wife to someone safe and oh so caring!
- I am a 'mum' to two beautiful puppy dogs
- I am a daughter and a sister
- I am a passionate friend
- I am NOT my experiences
- I am whoever I CHOOSE to be
- I am so unbelievably IMPORTANT!
WHO ARE YOU??
What encourages you?
What makes you the beautiful, precious person that you are?
I would love to get along side each and every one of you. Believe with you, fight with you, and absolutely rock this journey with you!
I am so much more than what has happened to me, and so are you!
(Even if we need reminding every now and then)
So much love and kindness being sent to you all right now!
@LeahMck89
This is just an extraordinary post, just as you are an extraordinary person. Thank you so much for these inspiring words, this is going straight into my bookmarks and will be shared with as many people as possible!
I have so much respect for your strength and optimism, I agree with every single point you made, and I am so happy that you're a part of this community, we are incredibly lucky to have you.
I'm just going to requote this part because I love it so much:
I am NOT my experiences
I am whoever I CHOOSE to be
I am so unbelievably IMPORTANT!
*Hugs you right back*
Thankyou so much Lyra!
You are super kind and gorgeous! And your words mean a lot to me!
I am smack bang in the middle of such a painful journey.
I definitely have more bad days than good at the moment
But I am so determined to feel loved and heard on my bad days, and to inspire and champion others on my good days.
I have so much faith in how incredible I am! I just get stuck sometimes. But this post is a reminder that I don't have to be stuck. I am going to be ok!
I am already complete and perfect!... Just as perfect as everyone else!
Thankyou again! So much love for you!
I need some encouragment 😢
@selfconfidentSea6250 Can you think of one thing great about yourself? Just one? Maybe its something you want to achieve? I can tell you something great though! You are strong! You acknowledge that we arent meant to be isolated! You are here and you are asking for encouragement! That is such a brave thing to do! You deserve all the encouragement in the world! Stay strong! Let me know something great about yourself and we can hold onto that great thing (or many things) until the bad stuff doesnt seem so hard anymore and all you're left with is the good! You are strong! You are one of a kind! *hugs* being sent your way!!
Hi can i join in since my stuff it has turned my life upside down. the one thing thats good about me is that i care for other people still.
soryr
I'm kind - I'm polite - I'm sensitive - despite all the hurt i witnessed i managed to be kind with ppl. And that is what I'm proud about my self.
Yesss!!!! Kindness is so important and i am so glad you havent lost that! Your strength inspires me!! Never ever give up!! And be so kind to yourself so you are always topped up with love and energy to offer others! *hugs*
Thanks Leah your kindness also inspires me. Thanks again
@LeahMck89
This is one of the most amazing posts that I've read on this site and I've read a lot!
There was a video I saw a few months ago about how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us. In a nutshell, it showed that we see our faults whereas other see our beauty. You've achieved something that we all really need to do and read it daily.
A true, objective account of who we are.
That's a pretty special thing you've articulated for us all. Just wow!
@Roadie There are no words to express how much your response means to me... so, just simply, Thank-you!
I genuinely believe and live out every word that I wrote.
My life is far from perfect, and my journey far from over!
But I wholeheartedly believe that the most powerful way to overcome abuse, or depression, or anxiety, or generally any issue in life, is to have a really healthy and positive view of ones self... and if you don't have that view... create it!!
That is at times. easier said than done!
But it is so important that we continue to fight for ourselves, because if we can't, then who will?
​And I want to encourage you @Roadie... firstly because we should never underestimate how precious our words can be in making someone's day, and truly, you have made my day!
And Secondly, because you are such a force to be reckoned with here at 7cups.
Generally I haven't had a lot of interaction with you here, but I have seen you in the group support rooms often, and your presence is so valued and and so amazing!
You're incredible!
Thank-you again for such an encouraging response!
A-MA-ZING! Thank-you!
@LeahMck89, this post is exceptional! I just want to thank you for creating it. You are amazing! I am so happy that I found this thread. I've already bookmarked this because it's so inspiring. How you describe yourself is now my daily reminder that I need to change the feedback loop that plays over and over in my head. I have to start saying good, positive qualities about myself. Easier said than done, like you mentioned. But I'm going to try, starting now. Thank you so, so much for the inspiration and empowerment.
I am kind, compassionate, sensitive, helpful, insightful, giving, and fearless. I am not his victim. I am not his property. I am a survivor, an overcomer, a thriver. I am a difference maker. I am a light of the world. I am a continued work in progress.
I am a future psychologist and I will heal the world.
@unsinkablespirit312 ... you're name is perfect!
You truly do sound unsinkable and that encourages me greatly!!
I am so happy that you have found this post, and that it has encouraged you!
I am so glad that you have acknowledged your need to change the feedback loop that is playing over in your head!
You are so deserving of love, happiness, safety and strength... and I hope you have the courage to strive for that no matter what it takes!
I am right here with you! Cheering you on! Championing you!
I think you are absolutely Fabulous!!
In your own words...
You are kind
You are compassionate
You are sensitive
You are helpful
You are giving
You are FEARLESS
You are NOT his victim!
You are NOT his property
You ARE a survivor
You are an overcomer!
You are a thriver
You are a difference maker
You are a light of the world
You are a continued work in progress (And a beautiful one at that!)
I have so very much faith in you!!!!
When the dark days come... come back here and remind yourself of how incredible you are!
And when you're having an awesome day, don't be afraid to celebrate that!! =)
I am so proud of your strength! =)
@LeahMck89
I don't know what to say except thank you. Your kindness truly has warmed my heart. I appreciate it more than you know.
The last few days have been very hard for me. I've really struggled to stay present in the here and now. I've been more and more disconnected and feel so far away from everyone, but even more scared and anxious about things that continue to haunt me. I'm trying to do things - healthy things - to remind myself that I'm okay, I'm safe, he can't hurt me anymore... but I feel like whatever I do, nothing is fully helping. And so when I saw the notification that I was tagged in a post, I came here and read your response. I wish I could explain just how much it means to me. Your words were so comforting and reassuring and inspiring. I needed this today. I will definitely need this again tomorrow for strength. I think I will need to read this every day.
Bless you. You're amazing.
@unsinkablespirit312
You are very welcome!
I am so sorry that you have been struggling so much! It definitely can be hard to keep yourself in the here and now, and to remind yourself that you are safe!
But just know that you really are safe ok!
I wish I could say or do more to make this process easier for you!
The reality is... its going to be so very hard some days! I really hope you have the support of a few great listeners here, and I hope you have the support of friends and family and a counsellor!
Anything you think you need to help yourself heal from this... you go right out there and get it okay!
This post is always here to encourage you okay?
And if you ever need more encouragement don't hesitate to tag me again and again and again and I will be right by your side okay?
We can do this together!
I have faith in you!
Please take such good care of yourself!! =)
I am so overwhelmed with so many different emotions right now.
This is.. just how can you be so positive? I admire your strength even when you're confused :)
I used to be like this with everything! Until I started realising that I was abused.
Now it's like I don't want to be happy and optimistic anymore. It's like I believe I don't deserve it.
But there is one thing I do know. It's that I WILL get better. I have to. I am destined to do great things. And even though I can't see a way out, I know it's there.
So thank you. Even though it hurts to read this stuff. It's a necessary hurt.
You guys are all so amazing ^_^
I truly love you all ll from the bottom of my heart ♡
@AngelOak7
You are amazing!
And you know what, some days being positive takes an incredible amount of energy. Often I can use more energy being positive than it takes to allow myself to sit in a confused and depressive state.
Some days positivity sucks, and some days it just doesn't happen at all. But I always try again, I always encourage myself extra hard the next day!
Because I am so worth every bit of effort... and so are YOU!!
Some of the greatest things in life require a lot of work and a lot of perseverance.
It has taken me years to learn how to encourage myself, and to make a habit out of it. But I am worth every second of time it took, and so are YOU!
I would love to quote one of your sentences back to you:
"But there is one thing I do know. It's that I WILL get better. I have to. I am destined to do great things. And even though I can't see a way out, I know it's there."
That sentence really touched me.... YOU are DESTINED for GREAT things!!
Thats right.... YOU ARE!!!!
And there IS a way out!! And you WILL get better!!!
Just one day at a time, one step at a time, and eventually, before you even know it, you'll be there! You'll feel strong again, and you WILL be okay!
So proud of you!!
You truly are doing incredible and I hope you have every bit of support you need to get through this. You deserve it!
Leah, your an inspiration too this Community, with your strong, and encouraging words. Your so supportive, you have such a beautiful personality, I look up too you. Your passion is the same as mine, too help support those who are in distress and too help those who are feeling distressed, unloved, or depressed. I belive in a world that understands that not everything can be perfect, a world that understands that people may seem well on the outside, but on the inside feeling like you have been struck by a huge and powerful lightning bolt of inhumanity, a world that can serve, a world with no criminality and destruction, and most importantly, a world free of mental health problems.
Written by @SimonTheGr8 ^
Thank you for posting it for me Rob :-) It wasn't letting me onto the forums, but its ok now!
Thank-you for these words @SimontheGr8
A world without mental health problems would be truly amazing, as would a world where people who are struggling are not judged.
But until that time, it is amazing that there are people like you out there who want to care for others and help to remove the stigmas surrounding certain issues.
You're an inspiration! Keep being exactly who you are!
I'm not that amazing, but it's ok. One day I will have the right to be able to say that.
Thank you so incredibly much for that. I don't know why you have so much faith in me, but I'll take it!
Maybe this will allow me to have faith in myself when it gets really hard. :)
I don't need lots of support. I like to be super independent and I will get through this by myself when I can. And I appreciate every bit I have received so far from the incredible people who went out of their way for me. Including you ^_^
Hugs!