If I Can Do It So Can You

Daydreams, giggles, and chasing butterflies occupied most of my days until the catastrophic event that changed how I participated in life. One day I was little and the next day I was cast into the fires of adverse life experiences. I lived for years under the cloak of invisibility as I kept dark secrets for fear of losing the only thing I had control over my sexual abuse – how others would see me. That was until I bottomed out and landed in the pits of substance abuse fueled by self-loathing, depression, and anger. It wasn’t until I hit the darkest days in chaos that I was able to see the rays of light peeking out from behind the clouds of recovery. 

After my spiritual bankruptcy, I found a way of living that targeted my myriad of reasons for consuming copious amounts of alcohol to drown out the voices of shame and regret. For the first time since my abuse started when I was six, I was asking for help and I was willing to do whatever it took to put the shattered pieces of my soul back together. I was desperate for change and to feel better in my own skin. I knew that life had more to offer and because of a wonderful group in recovery and a very knowledgeable trauma counselor who lovingly showed me how to become the woman I had always dreamed of becoming. After a lot of work and patience, I was able to hold my head high, love myself despite my flaws, and teach my daughters that no matter what happens in life there is always a solution if you have an ounce of faith to believe that more is possible. 

It has been seven years since I got sober, but each day holds the opportunity for more growth. I found that if I stay connected to my source of love and healing that I can fully submit my recovery talents to helping others find their way through the very darkest of times. It is not always easy and some days my trauma can still throw me off balance, but I am willing to be open to whatever comes my way. The difference between then and now is that I have more faith due to my own life experiences in recovery. 

Today, I am a writer, author, and advocate whose only desire is to openly share my truth so that anyone who needs soulful encouragement can find peace in knowing that there is always room for compassion and healing in recovery, but it must begin with you. A new life is yours if you have the courage to raise your hand, reach out and say, “please help me.” There are so many wonderful people who are ready to help you, guide you, and love you until you can learn to honestly love yourself. Trust me! If I can do it, so can you. 

-Rebecca, Survivor