I am thrilled that women, especially in Hollywood—the epicenter of narcissistic-male creation—are empowered enough to step forward safely and begin to enact change. The other epicenter of politics is shifting too. This will all have a ripple-down effect and, fingers crossed, women will cease to have these experiences.
#metoo
I’m sick of talking about my experience. I’ve been talking about it, dealing with it, integrating it for the whole of my adult life. BUT, I see, from the perspective of these years and years, being sexually molested in my ‘tween’ years has been the main source of all my ‘issues.' The incidences were baffling because my body experienced physical pleasure (causing deep shame) at the same time as I was being abused by someone whom I was supposed to trust. These experiences have been the driving force in my search for and immersion in self-help, healing modalities, therapies of all kinds. I see that for much of my life, I have filtered the whole world and all of my relationships through lenses of fear, disempowerment, disconnection and confusion. It has literally been my life’s work to change the lenses, and consequently my beliefs, about the world and myself in it.
Women, it is Not Selfish to Attend to Your Needs
It is imperative that we attend to our needs! As we heal and begin to live from our empowerment, we will transform and empower men. Our shifting affects the whole. The way we parent and the way we partner is best served by us being fully empowered in our feminine and masculine aspects. Seek the help you need to be your whole self whether you’ve been abused sexually, or not.
My life has literally been shaped by my early sexual abuse. Because of it, I have learned who I am and who I’m not. I’m still untangling sexuality in general and personally. I’m still connecting to parts of myself. (Some ways I have done this HERE.) I’m grateful for the ones who have spoken up and have helped to bring the shame into the light. I am thankful for every healing modality, practitioner, the love of my husband and the patient, wise counsel of friends that has helped me. (Some science behind that HERE.) I can only imagine how small and painful my life would be without any of them.
Being the Light Diminishes the Darkness
How has it shaped you? Is it still shaping you?
I am adding my voice to the discussion hoping that any woman who is still in the shadows will be encouraged to seek the light. The light brings healing and change. We are many and we are here to be the light together.