This #metoo was spurred by the iconic actress, Alyssa Milano, started a trend on Twitter to spread awareness of how many sexual abuse victims there really are.
People have responded in masses. Thousands and thousands of people have stepped forward, and for the first time in a lot of cases, spoken for the first time about their experiences.
Last night, I reluctantly typed my own #metoo. No one but my family, a few counselors, and a few close friends know. It's not something I talk about anymore...and this is something that I want to focus on. Those few moments in my life do not define me as a person. As I scrolled down Facebook and read post after post, I read not only the words, but also felt the sorrow, the shame, the intense anger of the victims.
The words of Moana's last great song came to mind. If you haven't actually seen this scene, I would strongly suggest you do. Allow me to share the lyrics of this one part. I feel they are especially relevant to sexual harassment and abuse victims.
I have crossed the horizon to find you
I know your name
They have stolen the heart from inside you
But this does not define you
This is not who you are
You know who you are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f81_F16rDlI
Those moments lost from our lives...those moments do not define who we are. What does define us is how we respond to what life has dealt us. Reaching out, loving other victims, showing others more kindness than we were shown, educating. This is how we heal.
I try not to dwell on why it happened or how I could have stopped it. I was 7, and then 8, and then 9, and then 12, and then 15, and then 17, and then 21, and then....do you see? Once you have been affected, you are forever sensitive to it. But that does not define or dictate how I should live my life. You can make a difference by speaking out. By telling someone. By never allowing it to happen to anyone else.
There IS so much hate, despair, and frustration in this world. But even better, there is hope and joy and friendship. And a terrible moment in our lives does not determine how our lives turn out. No, in fact, it determines how strong we can become and how many people we can choose to reach out to. Do not let your moments define who you are and dictate how you should move forward. We move forward with hope, and I believe with a hope in Christ. Because of agency, he cannot stop someone from making their choices, but he can heal our hearts and help us become stronger than we ever though possible if we turn to Him.
Regardless if you believe that is true, there is hope. There is happiness to be found. Look for the joy. Search for it, and let go of whatever is holding you back from letting that moment define you. Because it absolutely shouldn't.
You are beautiful.
You are loved.
You are important.
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