Tags
child abuse survivors, going from victim to survivor, healing after abuse, HEALING AFTER TRAUMA, making the most of your life, rape survivors, Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has it right … shake it off! 
I had the best opportunity to shake it off this past weekend when I went with girlfriends to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It came at the perfect time if you read my last post. Sometimes there is so much awful in this world that it threatens to suffocate my spirit and when it hits close to home, well, it just about sent me over the edge.
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I am a survivor who listens to other survivors and in doing that I am often reminded of the hellacious journey I’ve been on in these past few years. When I went away I was able to put that aside for even the briefest of moments and connect with a part of me that I’m not sure I even realized was fathomable.
Every survivor wants to feel ‘normal’, not the broken one, and for a time I was able to and I enjoyed every second.
I needed this in so many ways for so many reasons and it has rejuvenated me, and most importantly invigorated me to continue to be that positive influence for other survivors to recognize that they can thrive and enjoy life.
Now it’s time to get back to life….back to reality. Does that take you back? I’ll see if I can’t find that song on YouTube and put it in at the bottom just for nostalgia sake.
Now I am in my reality and my heart aches for the survivors I’m working with most recently. Their main struggle is self worth and overcoming all of the ‘crazy’ triggers, insecurities, and emotions that erupt out of the blue. Every survivor I’ve spoken to this week has said, “I know I sound crazy.” or “I’m sorry, I know I’m wasting your time.” or “This is hard.”
Yeah, it is hard. No doubt. Life in general without having suffered past trauma is hard. But working through the process, exposing all of the junk that has been left inside, and replacing it with positive affirmations is a must and it is hard because it literally feels like a full spiritual (and at times physical)rehaul. When you’ve gone 25, 35, 40 years feeling ‘not good enough’ or ‘a screw up’ or ‘the cause of ___’ it is an internal makeover to replace the lies with the truth.
The key is making it your choice. Do you want to live a life of misery as a victim? Or do you want to recognize your ‘wildest dreams’ and live life in its richest form knowing happiness from within and embracing every moment of every second?
I know many times it doesn’t feel like a choice but it is. And a choice only YOU can make for YOU.
With God’s unfathomable love, accepting me for me, my mistakes and all, I choose to live and to thrive today. And I will choose this again tomorrow.
What about you?
Blessings
Shannon
Just Show Up 
Awesome post. So glad that you were able to get rejuvenated. I just wrote a posting today for this week about having the choice to get better or bitter and then I found this posting. We have a choice to overcome! Thanks Shannon for all that you do to help victims of abuse!
‘I choose to live and to thrive today.’ is putting it well, my Dear Shannon. Blessings on You and Yours too, from another who had been broken. 🙂