Wednesday, March 27, 2024

2087 of 3000: Who is/was my greatest love?

 


One of the harshest and most gut-wrenching truths I've had to confront is that the love I once poured into my family is no longer reciprocated. It's a painful reality that cuts deep, leaving me grappling with a profound sense of abandonment and betrayal. It is me and my Sister, which is what is remaining from my immediate family. I deeply value and cherish a specific aspect of my family dynamic, as it continues to provide me with a profound sense of comfort and unwavering support. This particular facet of my family structure holds immense significance to me, symbolizing a source of solace and reassurance in my life. They know who they are. :)

The demise of the patriarchy marked a significant turning point, leading to the dissolution of what I had previously regarded as the most esteemed family in existence.

But amidst the shattered pieces of my heart, a seismic shift has occurred. Today, my greatest love is directed inward, towards myself. As I traverse the trenches of my junior year as a social work student at Spalding University, I have embarked on an odyssey of self-discovery—an arduous journey of introspection, observation, and profound growth.

In this transformative process, I have unearthed a sobering revelation: I have not honored my own worth enough to establish and enforce healthy boundaries. When I mustered the courage to draw the line and safeguard my well-being, I was met with disdain and hostility. The people around me failed to appreciate the essence of my self-care endeavors, and it became painfully apparent that I had surrounded myself with individuals who exploit my kindness, perceiving it as a weakness to be exploited.

Caught in a labyrinth of anguish, I confess that thoughts of revenge have haunted my mind—a toxic yearning that threatens to poison my very being. But I now recognize the insidious nature of this impulse. I understand that true healing cannot be found in seeking retribution. Instead, it demands that I prioritize my growth, my resilience, and my inner peace.

To fully comprehend the enormity of my plight, I must face the haunting specters of my family dynamics—a haunting tapestry woven from neglect, mental abuse, physical torment, and the haunting specter of sexual violation. These wounds run deep, leaving indelible scars that may never fully fade. Yet, I refuse to be defined solely by the pain inflicted upon me. I stand firm, resolute in my pursuit of liberation.

In this pivotal moment, I embrace my journey of self-discovery as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. I seek solace in the arms of trusted allies—friends, mentors, and professionals—who can guide me through the labyrinth of trauma towards the shores of healing. Therapy and counseling shall become my compass, illuminating the path towards resilience and renewal.

I implore not only myself but also all those who bear the weight of similar burdens to remember our worth. We are deserving of love, respect, and a life free from the shackles of abuse. It is time to shed the toxic ties that threaten our very existence and surround ourselves with genuine compassion and support. Together, we shall summon the strength to redefine our narratives, reclaim our voices, and forge a future imbued with profound healing and unyielding self-love.

I grew weary of enduring the effects of relentless psychological mistreatment, as well as the persistent sensation of not belonging. These sentiments frequently plague me, and the profound insecurity I experience stems from enduring a pattern of psychological manipulation to such an extent that it has given rise to imposter syndrome within me.

In the depths of my being, I now speak with unwavering certainty, for I have carried the heavy burden of a past riddled with unspeakable pain. As an innocent infant, I endured the harrowing experience of sexual abuse. Throughout my childhood, the scars of physical abuse etched themselves upon my tender existence. In the tumultuous years of adolescence, my spirit was battered by the relentless storm of mental abuse. Neglect, in the form of a lack of nurturing activities to instill confidence, further cast me adrift in the treacherous sea of growing up. Whose fault, then, shall we assign to this shattered reality?

Amidst an economic backdrop of privilege, my family's world crumbled as my parents' divorce shattered our once-stable home. We were uprooted from a middle-class neighborhood to an unfamiliar territory, where acceptance proved elusive amongst unfamiliar faces. Though not plunged into the depths of lower-class existence, the new environment and its peers failed to embrace my presence entirely. Sheltered and devoid of confidence in essential life skills, I was left to navigate the early stages of life's journey with a pervasive sense of isolation. Yet, within the depths of this desolation, I found solace in the companionship of my sister and the fortitude to overcome external barriers erected by step-parents.

Now, in the present, I stand at the precipice of self-discovery. Learning to love myself has become a sacred journey—an act of defiance against the pain that once consumed me. With each resolute "no" uttered, I reclaim my agency and forge a path free from the shackles of those who sought to hold me back. I am awakening to the profound truth that I have the power to create my own family—a chosen family built on love and support. I am discovering the essence of true happiness—no longer reliant on the validation of others. And as I step forward, I leave behind the shadows that once haunted me, moving towards a future where the chains of the past hold no sway over my destiny.

This is my comeback story—an unwavering testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Through the depths of darkness, I have emerged, scarred yet undefeated. I share my journey as a beacon of hope, a reminder that we possess within us the strength to overcome, the capacity to heal, and the power to shape our own destinies.

My greatest love now, is ME.




No comments:

Post a Comment

Previous Posts

Louisville Pride Festival

  I will be at Louisville Pride on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 1:57 PM - 6:30 PM at the Music City Prep Clinic booth. Louisville'...