| I recently had a conversation with a woman who | | | | support groups, my "abuser" didn't change his |
| was seriously contemplating the somewhat | | | | behavior. The minute I made the decision to change |
| philosophical topic of how to 100% eliminate abuse | | | | me, and remove myself from that relationship, the |
| from our society. She and I didn't see eye to eye on | | | | abuse stopped. It simply stopped. |
| this subject. However, it was a great conversation | | | | Being a victim is a state of mind - much more then it |
| none the less. | | | | is a state of being. Like it or not, it's a choice. Now, I |
| Now let me preface this topic by saying a couple of | | | | realize that is a controversial statement. However, |
| things. First I would like to define abuse as any act | | | | there is no denying it's true. It seems clear to me |
| that is intended to harm emotionally, mentally, or | | | | that in order to stop abuse we have to quit |
| physically. Secondly, I do not believe this is a gender | | | | tolerating it. What would happen collectively, if as a |
| issue. Some of my male readers occasionally say to | | | | society we simply stopped tolerating abuse? What |
| me that I am unfair to the male species. I want to | | | | would happen if as individuals we simply quit tolerating |
| state for the record that I have a family member | | | | it by leaving the room or leaving the relationship? |
| who was a victim of a domestic violence homicide, | | | | I honestly believe it is just that simple. We chose |
| and his name was Uncle Duane. So, I don't think | | | | what we are willing to accept and train people how |
| abuse is a one way street. I certainly don't dislike | | | | to treat us. We get out of relationships what we are |
| men, I dislike mean people, whether they are men or | | | | willing to accept, more simply put, what we are willing |
| women. | | | | to settle for. I implore you, today, to help stop abuse |
| All of that said, in our conversation about eliminating | | | | in our society once and for all, by making a sacred |
| abuse, my friend really believed that in order to do | | | | vow to yourself. "As of this moment, this day, I am |
| so, we would have to eliminate the abusers by | | | | no longer willing to be abused. As of this moment I |
| helping them change their behavior. I believe it would | | | | will stand in my power. I will claim my power as a |
| be much easier to modify the behavior of the | | | | Divine being. I chose to live in love, only being loved, |
| "victims". Having been a "victim" of domestic violence | | | | only giving love." |
| myself I can say with great certainty, that I was, | | | | No victim-hood there - no abusers either. Problem |
| am, and always will be responsible for my own | | | | solved. |
| experience. Through begging, pleading, counseling, and | | | | |