Asking for help is a sign of courage - not of weakness.
No person has the right to hit, harm, or hurt another - no matter who you are, how you live, or what you have done in the past. You are not responsible for another person's behavior.
For so long I felt like I was living under a huge shadow. I never knew if my partner would come home in a good mood or walk in swinging. I drove myself crazy trying to figure out what to do. No matter what I did or said, it got worse.
I lived my life in fear, torn by my feeling of love and my terror that I would be beaten again. And all the while everyone was saying, “Why do you stay?” I didn’t have an answer really. It just seemed like I could never get out from the shadow.
When I did face it, I found that there was help available for me and the people who really cared for me did not turn away from me. I felt like now I’ve faced what’s really wrong and I can begin to do something about it.
Don't be so hard on yourself. Take a moment. Sit back. Marvel at your life: at the grief that softened you, at the heartache that wisened you, at the suffering that strengthened you. Despite everything, you still continue to grow. Be proud of this.
