I changed my future all by sharing a chapter of my life. That is the easiest way to put it. I never realized my full potential until I opened up about some of the most deepest skeletons in my closet. I set a fire to my life but not the kind that has always burned in the past. This is a feeling that I have never experienced before. It is an extremely scary, freeing, and exciting round of feelings along with emotions. The once lost girl who didn’t know how to use her voice, finally used it without saying anything. I poured a chapter of my life onto a 60 second video that went viral. So…. Viral it opened up an opportunity for me.

It opened up a platform for me to use my voice as a Domestic Violence Warrior. I never in my life thought my actual past would benefit my future. I watched as the comments rolled in, some good, some bad, and all of them determined by my reaction. My reaction was shocked and nervous. I was getting messages telling me I was an inspiration, that my story was so common for others, and that my story helped give others hope. HOPE is something I never imagined in my life, would be a description of me. With the good does come the bad. I received after that very hateful attention. The kind that makes you want to hide in a hole and cry. I wouldn’t have put it out there if it wasn’t real so it did hurt. I had to overcome the anxiety and fear to stand strong. Proving again, the once weak girl is a champion at life.

I never thought this adorably goofy girl would end up having an opportunity in helping thousands of people overcome the realest of hidden secrets, ABUSE. The realer I am, the more people seem to flock to me. I have become a open book, to help others. I might not have all my ducks in a row, but I do know a few tricks to help get you through some very tough times. For me, exposing my skeletons was healing and comforting. I sleep better at night knowing a 60 second video on my life helps thousands of people. I know inside it healed me by letting the truth be set free from my soul.

As victims of domestic violence, we struggle with having a voice. The same questions always being asked without understanding. Why didn’t you leave sooner? I would have never stuck around, if he did that! If he laid his hands on me the cops would have been called. Well when you LOVE someone it isn’t that easy. In fact it’s embarrassing, and when we trust you enough to tell you, it hurts at the time to answer them. Today, I can answer each question without batting an eyelash. That also took years to achieve and tons of therapy.

So after that video I decided to stand up tall and strong for others that face and endure the pain that I did. I will also be a beacon of Hope for them as they need to know there is a light after darkness, even if it’s just a glimmer. It is what kept me going along with the knowledge and the unconditional loved received by my son. So, as my life becomes more known around the World, I hope it’s for inspiration. That this adorably goofy warrior brings light in the midst of darkness and a spark of hope to whomever needs it.