April is National Child Abuse Month; The Great Equalizer...CHILD ABUSE! Abuse does not discriminate by gender, age, religion, ethnicity, or social status.
Indeed, it really is the one time that: ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL. Abuse can be delivered to the offended by sexual, physical, emotional, or verbal abuse. Each and every one of these types of abuse is equally as damaging to our self-esteem, our souls, or our physical being...if we let it prevail.
Whether we are being abused now or have been abused in the past, it in no way defines either who we are... or who we are able to become. We are what we choose for ourselves; we are not defined by what has been said or done to us! The road is wide open, but it is up to us to take the first step. The abuser can not love themselves, therefore they are unable (or unwilling) to love us.
It is never because we are unworthy of being loved. But do we love ourselves? Today, is a good day to start. Be a person that is admired by being a person who values his/her own self-worth. May the journey to find inner-strength find you and be ultimately healing. May all of us continue to make a difference. If you or someone you know has been abused in the past or is currently being abused... speak up. It is never, never too late.
Child Abuse: choose to see it; choose to be part of the solution!
This is the "drama” that unfolds in classrooms, on sports playing fields, and at social events each and every day in America. In other countries, the statistics have long been denied and/or ignored. That fact, appears to be changing, but very slowly. Child Abuse knows no differences in Race, Nationality, or Gender. It is the one time, where sadly... all men (children) are equal.
We can choose to ignore this epidemic or choose to recognize the signs of Child Abuse and be part of the solution! Children are the future of modern society. Everywhere!
I was part of the classroom situation for many years and knew intuitively with which of my students "it" might unfold as the school year progressed; after all, I was a kindred spirit. However, there were many times I couldn’t see it at all… and it never failed to surprise me when the Abuse revealed itself in a student’s writings or actions. I don’t know why I was surprised because I too was one of the “children” that hid the abuse going on at home while growing up. It took many years before I was even able to write/ speak about it.
I chose to leave teaching, a few years back and write and speak up about Child Abuse in my book SPIRIT UNBROKEN. It is a silent epidemic. A proficient teacher in modern times, teaches not only his/her subject matter…but also teaches about LIFE. And LIFE in these times is hard.
However, I believe Child Abuse can be eradicated. There is no “cure” out there in the wings waiting to be discovered like a potential cure for Cancer or other illness. But for each of us, there is the huge job of accepting this condition as part of modern society's fabric and acting upon it. This is a World-wide disease.
Be part of the solution and recognize it is a silent epidemic. This can not be an avoidance issue because it might be awkward or uncomfortable to acknowledge.
If you are aware of anyone abusing a child or if you are being abused yourself…speak up, today.
Everyone; everywhere.
We can choose to ignore this epidemic or choose to recognize the signs of Child Abuse and be part of the solution! Children are the future of modern society. Everywhere!
I was part of the classroom situation for many years and knew intuitively with which of my students "it" might unfold as the school year progressed; after all, I was a kindred spirit. However, there were many times I couldn’t see it at all… and it never failed to surprise me when the Abuse revealed itself in a student’s writings or actions. I don’t know why I was surprised because I too was one of the “children” that hid the abuse going on at home while growing up. It took many years before I was even able to write/ speak about it.
I chose to leave teaching, a few years back and write and speak up about Child Abuse in my book SPIRIT UNBROKEN. It is a silent epidemic. A proficient teacher in modern times, teaches not only his/her subject matter…but also teaches about LIFE. And LIFE in these times is hard.
However, I believe Child Abuse can be eradicated. There is no “cure” out there in the wings waiting to be discovered like a potential cure for Cancer or other illness. But for each of us, there is the huge job of accepting this condition as part of modern society's fabric and acting upon it. This is a World-wide disease.
Be part of the solution and recognize it is a silent epidemic. This can not be an avoidance issue because it might be awkward or uncomfortable to acknowledge.
If you are aware of anyone abusing a child or if you are being abused yourself…speak up, today.
Everyone; everywhere.
Child Abuse "Survivor" vs Child Abuse "Thriver"
When I am asked why I didn't refer to myself as a "survivor" in my book SPIRIT UNBROKEN which is about my own abusive childhood, the answer came easily to me. I believe that saying you are a "survivor" of any test or challenge in life is indicative that you are still living in its shadow. In addition, someone might even be using "survivor-ship" from the test/challenge as an excuse for his/her present life's situations and behavior. I see it over and over and it saddens me. From the moment our individual tests and challenges cease...and they always do or we no longer inhabit God's earth, we are not "survivors' but rather "livers." We might view our new life by being stronger, wiser, and more complete in our journey of perfecting ourselves here on Earth.
If you have been through something negative...be it a life threatening illness or challenge for yourself or family member, possible marital disillusionment, hurt, and betrayal... that might ultimately lead to a divorce, a deployment in one of America's Wars... that follows with a physical or emotional challenge, a loveless childhood/adulthood... that is riddled by abuse...when it ends, and it will, you must resume living with a renewed vigor. To claim you have "survived" something is indication that the test/challenge still is very much present in your head and heart. It's all in positive attitude and the honest acceptance that Life, as given, is not supposed to be easy. We "survive" only that we may live. Sue
If you have been through something negative...be it a life threatening illness or challenge for yourself or family member, possible marital disillusionment, hurt, and betrayal... that might ultimately lead to a divorce, a deployment in one of America's Wars... that follows with a physical or emotional challenge, a loveless childhood/adulthood... that is riddled by abuse...when it ends, and it will, you must resume living with a renewed vigor. To claim you have "survived" something is indication that the test/challenge still is very much present in your head and heart. It's all in positive attitude and the honest acceptance that Life, as given, is not supposed to be easy. We "survive" only that we may live. Sue
WE are who we Choose to become!
In both directions of inheritance good traits/habits vs. bad traits/habits, it is easy to believe we are going to be just like our parents! Afterall, both sets of genes have entered our bodies, so it seems logical. That's where Humans are superior to other mammals. That's pretty cool.
Although we might physically resemble one parent or another, our lives are ours alone and we have the ability to make of them what we choose. If we don't like a trait that was genetically "given" to us, and the list is very lengthy, we have the abilities not to become that ourselves. NO, IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY, BUT IT'S POSSIBLE. We alone are the "nurturer" of our existence.
If our parents abuse controlled substances in any fashion, we do not have to follow suit. If they always over-eat and never exercise, we can set the new norm for the family by eating healthy and exercising daily. If we were constantly put down and verbally abused as children...it is important that it stop with us. We do not do it with our own children! How liberating and healing it is to realize our life is more of our own choices and very little of genetics.
However, all people have good characteristics... even the ones who struggle with their own positive choices. Find those good characteristics within yourself, that you inherited from those "genes" and nurture them. The negative gene characteristics... we all need to let them go.
Although we might physically resemble one parent or another, our lives are ours alone and we have the ability to make of them what we choose. If we don't like a trait that was genetically "given" to us, and the list is very lengthy, we have the abilities not to become that ourselves. NO, IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY, BUT IT'S POSSIBLE. We alone are the "nurturer" of our existence.
If our parents abuse controlled substances in any fashion, we do not have to follow suit. If they always over-eat and never exercise, we can set the new norm for the family by eating healthy and exercising daily. If we were constantly put down and verbally abused as children...it is important that it stop with us. We do not do it with our own children! How liberating and healing it is to realize our life is more of our own choices and very little of genetics.
However, all people have good characteristics... even the ones who struggle with their own positive choices. Find those good characteristics within yourself, that you inherited from those "genes" and nurture them. The negative gene characteristics... we all need to let them go.
SPIRIT UNBROKEN by Sue Brown: Living Life to the Fullest. It's Good!
SPIRIT UNBROKEN by Sue Brown: Living Life to the Fullest. It's Good!: We live in a world of constant and often frightening change and never know of our tomorrow (s). I often ask myself … what will tomorrow ...
SPIRIT UNBROKEN by Sue Brown: We Alone Are Responsible for Our Lives
SPIRIT UNBROKEN by Sue Brown: We Alone Are Responsible for Our Lives: It is so easy in life to forget that we are responsible for our own success, happiness, and inner-peace. It is often easier to blame others ...
Lucky 13... Forgive and Forget!
This year, the 13th year of the century... as well as the Millenium... is a special year. We each get the opportunity to start over and make life more meaningful not only for ourselves, but for others. Often, starting over means "forgiving." Sometimes, it even means "forgetting." Here's to our individual efforts to do a better job at both.
Forgiving someone who has wronged us is not so easy. However, it is ultimately healing and the only way to move on from the hurt or injustice that has been done to us.
This goes for any type of injustice we have incurred: physical, emotional,or verbal. I am convinced of that fact; I also practice it. We are always hurt, but it need not prevail in our current lives.
If we dwell on what has been done “to us” rather than what we “do for ourselves” we are powerless and don’t heal from the inside out. Rather, we are merely putting a scab on a wound that might at any time be ripped open. This is not in any way suggesting that we continue to keep the offender(s) in our day to day life, but rather distance ourselves with a quiet dignity.
If it is meant to be, in time...a relationship might take place, but only if the "offender" has been rehabilitated. Again, this goes for all types of abuse and all personal injuries that are done "to" us.
BUT... I can not say it often enough:
WE ARE NOT PRODUCTS OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO US…RATHER WE ARE PRODUCTS OF WHAT WE HAVE CHOSEN TO DO FOR OURSELVES.
God is merciful; let us practice that as well. Sue
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