Til It Happens to You

Dear Reader,

If you were the victim of a targeted sexual crime, first off, I want to share my deepest empathetic telepathic hug with you.

Many times along my journey, I've had people downplay the significance of certain incidents that I hadn't yet fully resolved at the time. Whether it was urging me to 'move on' too quickly so I could refocus on my work/projects or worse, devote my energy to them (self-serving agendas), I would need to step away from these people and ground myself in the truth: they hadn't been in my body nor lived in my mind to actually know what I was feeling and the destruction it had caused to my soul. Bruises heal and cuts close, but the hardest parts for me to heal were deeply embedded in my soul —-> that was the most difficult personal work I’ve done on my traumas.

This is not to say I have not received empathy along my journey by well-intentioned people, but I share my story to offer both comfort and empowerment to my dear reader, who may have also been the victim of a sexual crime, one of the worst crimes against humanity. Sexual crimes span in severity and I've been the victim of a range of them, from verbal harassment, inappropriate touching during massage therapy to the almost unspeakable. Reminding yourself that you need time to heal and that while your network may have also experienced awful traumas, ultimately they haven't been in your body, mind and soul and don't get the end say to your healing - truly.

This blog title was inspired by Lady Gaga's song "Til It Happens to You." which has a powerful message and often this song has comforted me.

On a positive note of hope for the future, may our children, adolescents and adults be never again the victims of soul-crushing sexual deviant acts, and if they do/have, may they receive a proper place to heal. Remember, when it comes to healing, you cannot heal in the same environment that made you sick. Often, this means removing family and friends from your life and in my case: your entire community.

For some, healing is not an easy path by any means, but it's not only achievable, it's beautiful & deeply soul-satisfying once you've resolved your traumas. At the opposite end of all of your deep pain, lies deep beauty & pleasure. And you're MORE worth it reader.

With Aloha,

Heidi