tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362373399405910593.post1858945120087048110..comments2023-12-11T20:18:37.225-06:00Comments on Shattering the Silence: The Impact of Your StoryRoger Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591791342062150604noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362373399405910593.post-72165770094273516802016-11-08T07:25:12.391-06:002016-11-08T07:25:12.391-06:00Leaving aside the therapeutic salve of talking, th...Leaving aside the therapeutic salve of talking, the catharsis of NAMING the abuser, and the complex healing of learning to "own" one's story; I take a different slant on this issue. It's not the pragmatics of the immediate good that determines whether I talk of my story. It's overwhelmingly MY need to learn to be an agent in a history of pawns and deceptive games.<br /><br />Of course doing harm is to be avoided, but I have half of my life left to learn to stand in the light and stop hiding in the shadows of shame, panic attacks, and skewed views of self. Healing is encouraged when I speak of my story and lean into the darkest corners of pain, layers of betrayal, and even anger at God. If I can risk the vulnerability of sharing, others can risk extending the dignity of silently listening. Abuse is word-shattering. So much healing comes in the search for appropriate words...whether others want to hear it or not. The innocence they took, but the story is mine.Andrew J. Schmutzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10076017366842306913noreply@blogger.com