Written by: Ron Blake (TRIGGER WARNING) For many male rape victims, speaking out is a journey fraught with fear, societal stigma, and profound personal courage. Yet, my story is not a story of sadness, anger, hatred, or revenge. It’s an exhilarating adventure of hope, happiness, and success. It’s about defying the odds and overcoming adversity. […]
Tag: survivor
Cancer Quotes to Help You Stay Strong and Not Lose Hope
A cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event that brings immense emotional, physical, and mental challenges. These cancer quotes offer hope, inspiration, humor, and fact as you undergo an incredibly challenging time. While the gravity of the disease cannot be overstated, it is important to remember that cancer is not an automatic death sentence. Medical advances, […]
How The Fall Season Inspires Reflection and Letting Go
When is the official start of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere? Does it begin in early September, late August, or at the Autumn equinox? Ask multiple people when fall begins, and you’ll likely have some different answers. The First Day of the Fall Season For me, it commences when autumn foliage begins appearing, […]
From a Suicide Survivor: A Story of Loss, Resilience, and Advocacy
The early years of my life were marked by struggles with body image, feelings of isolation, and a deep sense of not belonging. As a suicide survivor, I now reflect on the pain and insecurities that nearly consumed me. Society’s impossible standards and the silence surrounding mental health shaped who I am today. I hope […]
Healing From Childhood Trauma: A Long Journey to Finding Myself
I started out as a bewildered traveler when I embarked on my journey of healing from childhood trauma in August 2022. I had no idea what it would involve. There was no map and only a vague impression of my destination. Let’s just say I took the meandering, scenic route. I didn’t understand what healing […]
Coercive Control: One Woman’s Struggle With This Silent Abuse
Story contributed by Lynae Dolechek Sitting across from Lynae, I initially anticipated this personal interview to be a tale of enduring love. The kind that weathers life’s storms and emerges stronger. Instead, Lynae’s story unfolded as a narrative of coercive control that spanned decades. Initially, she, too, genuinely believed it was a love story where […]
Chasing Childhood Dreams: One Woman’s Delayed Journey of Joy
Some childhood dreams reside within us until we realize them, while others fade away as life happens. I was quite the dreamer as a child (and still am). My parents helped fulfill some dreams in my younger years. For example, I joined Girl Scouts for several years in elementary school, and I began flute lessons […]
From Survival to Summit: A Domestic Violence Survivor’s Journey
Written by: Kim Hansen If you’re reading this, you’re probably a person used to having to climb mountains to get through life. Maybe you are also a domestic violence survivor, someone who experienced childhood trauma, or you know someone who has survived these challenges. Let me just say: I am with you. It has been […]
From Ashamed to Empowered: Surviving the Shame Spiral
(TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual Assault) Experiencing a shame spiral after being raped in my mid-30s was a harrowing ordeal. The perpetrator was calculated—he knew how to manipulate and hurt me, leaving bruises hidden under my clothes, except for the handprints on my neck. Afterward, in a daze of fear and confusion, I managed to gather my […]
You Are Enough: Embrace Yourself and Live From the Heart
In a world that constantly pushes you to be more, do more, and achieve more, it’s easy to forget that you are enough simply by being you. This article explores the profound message of “You are enough.” Along with its significance in our journey toward feeling free, liberated, and unburdened in our spiritual healing and […]