ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPH AND TITLE

THIS PROFILE PICTURE IS A PAINTING BY SAMUEL BAK. THE TITLE IS "INTERRUPTION". THIS BLOG IS ABOUT CHILDHOOD ABUSE, THE DESTRUCTION IT CAUSES AND HOW I FEEL A CONNECTION TO HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Choose Your Own Path: DO NOT LET THE ABUSERS WIN

FREE YOURSELF FROM YOUR PAST


Victor Frankl
"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
I realize many of you may not even want to read the last sentence, much less give it serious thought.  I have been there too; in that place of darkness where you feel that you have no control over anything; that there is no choice; that your life is out of control and it is 'running' you, not the other way around; that the pain and anguish of the past will never set you free...will never let you 'BE'.  It haunts your every waking thought.  While I have times of clarity, I still sink into this mode of thinking.
But, we do have a choice.  We cannot let abuse/abusers win.  We cannot give them our power.  We cannot sacrifice for them anymore.  Take back the control they stole from you. Take back your innocence.  Take back your soul.   Fight for your freedom from the past.  Be not afraid to go forward; fear can be crippling.  Choose to become the person you were meant to be.  It might be painful and hard work to learn who this 'person' is...but I am here to remind you, IT IS WORTH EVERY MINUTE!
Peace,
Nico


5 comments:

  1. It is hard work..and fear is crippling..I hope one day to find it's worth it..I have missed you...As always....XOXOXOXOX

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  2. I can just cheer you on from a humble position, I could never say those words to you since I have never experienced any violence (I have been in fights but that doesn't count)or feared for my life in any way. But I can imagine, and I wish that your message reaches as many people as possible. Strength to you, and all you other victims out there, may you remove yourselves from that position and enter the forceful powerposition that was, and is your birthright. I send you all the energy I can find out there, be safe. Magdis

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  3. I love this post. I finally started to heal when I realized I was letting the abusers win by abusing myself being stuck in the past. By changing my attitude about it, it slowly stopped having power over me. Beautiful words from a warrior woman. Peace to you, Nico.

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  4. I would have never thought I would have fear over something I've written but I certainly did on the piece called The Emotional Breakdown. It is still on my wordpress blog but I pulled it from FB because I feared extended family pressure. I am after all outing a pastor's wife, sort of, even though it is disguised as fiction. Anyway, thanks for the message. It helps. I feel I finally have my voice and yet Resistance in the form of fear wants to shut it down.

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  5. The Viktor Frankl quote that you used in this post is one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books in all of literature. What it says to me is that even in the most horrific circumstances imaginable, the human spirit can overcome. Sadly most don't, but you are one of the few who is overcoming. And without-a-doubt your example and message will inspire others to overcome as well.

    Keep giving away your bread Nico.

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