They are changing their life stories. Taking the bad things that happened in their young lives and reinterpreting, rewriting their personal narratives in a more positive frame.
In doing so, they are able to change the meaning of their lives and, importantly, to take control of their lives.
Once on a self-destructive path, their lives now have meaning and purpose.
Bravo!
From a psychological perspective they are coming into their personal power and transforming harrowing negative experiences and negative self-worth to find personal significance through the desire to help others.
Take, for example, the story of Anouska De Georgiou, a British victim of Jeffrey Epstein.
Interviewed on NBC’s Dateline, Anouska explained that she had felt powerless to help other girls who were being abused. She told of being in the ocean and wanting to say something to a younger girl who “was on a paddleboard or something…and I wanted to say, ‘You have to leave.’ But I didn’t.”
She now works at the Kintsugi Foundation, helping women who are recovering from addictions, trauma, and mental health issues.
“. . . she now finds solace in helping other victims, saying: ‘My healing came through that, that I could walk alongside these women and girls and be a witness to their suffering.” [i]
The Kintsugi Foundation takes its name from a Japanese art form: “the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver lacquer with the understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken.” [ii]
“More beautiful for having been broken.” How exquisite and hopeful and redemptive is that?
This is true of anyone who has suffered abuse of any sort. There is always an opportunity for healing. And we are all more beautiful for having been broken.
I would love to hear your response to this idea. Do you agree we are all more beautiful for having been broken? If not, why not? You can reach me directly
[i] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/21/british-victim-sex-offender-jeffrey-epstein-speaks-ordeal/
[ii] http://kintsugifoundation.org/