Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check In - Monday February 5th 2018
Trauma has the ability to strip our sense of self worth away. So I was delighted to find this little tale on the internet, to highlight why we shouldnt allow that. I couldnt find a source to attribute it to - its pasted in numerous places, so apologies if Ive failed to credit anyone!
A speaker was presenting to an audience. He started off his presentation by holding up a 20 note and he asked, Who would like this 20 note? Hands started going up.
Then he said, I am going to give this 20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple the 20 note up. He then asked, Who still wants it? Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, What if I do this? And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. Now who still wants it? Still the hands went into the air. My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson, he said, No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth 20.
Sometimes in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. Sometimes we may feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless.......
Welcome to Monday! Have you any words of wisdom to share? Hows your day going?
So, Im posting on here to better myself. So last year maybe around March? I was repeatedly sexually assaulted and harassed by another student my age (Im a f14) Eventually everyone found out and the the subject of sexual assault has triggerd me ever since, sadly, to some people its joked about and seen as a joke. How do I tell people to stop joking about it without going off on them and making a big scene?..unless thats what I have to do.
@Sophialeegh03 this is def a tough one at your age as a lot of teens are not very aware of how their actions affect others around them as well as do not necessarily have the same degree of empathy for others yet. Maybe some others can chime in on this as well and since you are finding the topic so personally triggering I am not sure what might be the most helpful approach. But first of all, have you sought out support for yourself? a trained therapist could help you problem solve around what would be the most helpful for you In particular regarding this. But most importantly, access to timely support regarding this type of assault helps to minimize the long term effects it can have on you. I know for myself, I had no idea how mine had affected me until many years after.... ❤️
@purpleWest8143
thank yo so much for the kind words, however I
@Sophialeegh03 big hugs to you. Im sorry that it sounds like your mom wasnt in agreement with you accessing any therapy. If your school has a counsellor, that might be someone available to connect with who doesnt require any financial assistance or parental permission?
@Sophialeegh03
Hi Sophia, I am so sorry to hear about the assault and harassment that you have suffered. I agree with what @purpleWest8143 has said "at your age alot of teens are not very aware of how their actions are affecting others". It is horrible when people joke about your suffering ,instead of showing empathy and compassion. I'm sending hugs your way, and hope you get the empathy compassion and support that you deserve and need.
@Sophialeegh03 Ive just read Amandisas comment and I too am so horribly sorry about what youve endured and I apologize for automatically jumping to problem solving! I think I jumped to this as I was just a year older than you when I experienced a similar type of assault but I never sought help or support due to various feelings of shame and fear. This singular event impacted me in a way that influenced how I approached various life events to follow and began a cascade of trauma for myself and also for my children. I have only in the last couple of years, fully begun to realize the impact. You are deserving of support, compassion and kindness no matter what the circumstances. I hope you find healing and support where you are as well as in this community here 😘
@purpleWest8143
Hi purple, this is a great post!! 👍 I would of jumped to problem solving too, but you got there before me! This post is supportive and caring, so please don't apologise, great job😉.
@DeborahUK wow :(
@Jesse9675
A sad wow. Are you okay there Jesse?
i was with this girl for like 8 years i raised her 3 girls and life was good not perfect but good ya know ...one day i come home from work and every ones outside, its a nice sunny day the girls are playing momma was havin a drink in the shade all was well... next thing i know im carrying my girl out to the front yard while shes bleeding all over me.. her dad shot her in the face ... my whole world had changed that day..all of ours..thank God she survived.. but all was lost kids got takin because we all lived in the same home we had to move to get away from it ... little town everyone new about it so we left...moved to another state and i dont know anyone ..so after about a year she gets on drugs stops coming home wont get counseling and eventually left me.. so ive been her alone for a year now im so lonely my heart hurts so bad ...i need somebody but i dont want to do anything desperate .. i dont party, i still dont really know anyone outside of work.. im afraid to meet girls even tho i am lonely..i dont know how to be happy anymore .. i have always been so outgoing and lively im a class clown i like to make people laugh , ive built houses my whole life ive traveled so many places and now i work go home and shopping when i have too.... im just so lost ..
