Courage to Change

  "You make me cry 'nights, although I know it's futile..." Penny - founder of NASG How many of you relate?  "You make me cry 'nights, although I know it's futile.  My tears can't buy your love....." Such was my desperation.... all I wanted was his love and it was absolutely impossible to attain, no matter what I did. He was simply incapable of love. How many tears did I shed over the years?  I think they would've filled a small plunge pool! We agonize, desperately trying all sorts of different ways to get our former "soul mate" to reappear and love us again.  The saddest thing about this is that we are completely unaware of the fact that the charming, confident, popular and doting lover who swept us off our feet, never existed.  It was all smoke and mirrors, a facade to get us to commit our all to them. Once hooked, they know we will be loyal and try everything to make the relationship work. We seem to have a sign on our forehead t

  HAVE YOU BEEN ABUSED BY A NARCISSIST?   This kind of abuse can be emotional, verbal, spiritual, financial, sexual or sometimes even physical. Because the tactics used are so insidious, we are generally unaware that we are being subject to abuse (especially if it's mainly verbal, emotional, financial and mental abuse) and are led to believe we are incompetent, stupid, incapable, unable to make decisions, unworthy and so forth. They shift the blame for everything onto you, and embarrass you in company by being derogatory or demeaning. They verbally abuse you and confuse you, deny and lie about everything, so that you are left questioning whether your perception of reality is real or not. You are told you are crazy or insane and need to go for counselling - and the worst thing of it all is that you eventually believe them! The rage if you step out of line or criticize them is incredibly scary and intended to keep you in line. They are very domineering, controlling and manipulative.

STILL I RISE... I saw this poem and absolutely loved it - so incredibly expressive of deep pain, but such hope for a better life. Let's all hold onto hope today.......... STILL, I RISE by Maya Angelou You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Weakened by my soulful cries? Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard ’Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin’ in my own backyard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise. Does my sexiness