Reunion Online

Most of us know this fact, although few of us make use of the information: Events in our childhood shaped our attitudes and our behavior. If we reflect on our lives, usually we can see that the past—both good and bad—affected our personalities and formed us into becoming who we are today. Today, Cecil Murphey describes how the abuse he experience shaped him.

Today, we have a guest post from country singer Buffy Lawson. Buffy arrived in Nashville, the Music City, by way of Lexington, Kentucky, where she grew up singing from an early age. Somewhere along the way, she met “Steve.” Today, on the eve of NO MORE Day, she shares her story about awakening, surviving, healing and sharing her journey through her art. It's her hope that through her story and song will give wings to those who have felt emotionally and/or physically caged—that every man and woman in the world will feel the freedom to fly and shine. To find our more about Buffy Lawson, we invite you to visit www.wrinkledrecords.com or www.buffylawson.com.

The power to choose when and how one heals is just as important as finding a support system that works for YOU. Some choose faith and mental health support. We heal “In our own time, and at our own pace. - the 1in6 Family.

It was during Aaron's first year of college that my past abuse was brought to the light. In today's post, he discusses that time in his life, two years he recalls as "intense emotional warfare." But through his strength and his faith, he has come out the other side healthier—feeling more whole, more complete as a person.

My friend Steve introduced me to the term, Secondary Survivor. Those two words say it well for those of us who have significant people in our lives.We’re survivors and the people who truly love us have also endured.

Randy discusses the walls he built to protect himself, keep his abuse secret and survive. As the walls came down, Randy says his lif has begun to make sense. He says he's finally growing beyond just surviving. Love has replaced fear, and new relationships have replaced loneliness. Though he will always have to deal with his issues, each day begins anew, with the chance for joy in each of them.

Why? We ask it all the time: Why is the sky blue? Why didn’t she call me back? Why do I have such a hard time being disciplined? Why did that man kill all those innocent children? Why did I get abused? It is the ultimate question resulting in what we hope to be the ultimate answer to bring us some form of closure and comfort. Sometimes it does, but most of the time we are left many years later asking the same questions and still wondering why. Today, Aaron explores this question.

From today's 1in6 Thursday from Cecil Murphey: "It seems like every person I know who was sexually assaulted—including me—struggles with control issues. Or perhaps “power issues” is the better term. We can tend to feel the need to be in charge (in control) of things or we surrender and give up any self-assertion. Some vacillate between the two extremes. I am a controller, although many people don’t recognize it. But I’m learning to give up unhealthy power."

In today's 1in6 Thursday, Cecil Murphey recounts an experience talking with another male survivor of childhood sexual abuse. A man decided to break the silence of his abuse by talking with other men. He’s finally able to believe that others have struggled with the same issues because of the molestation in his childhood. As Cecil says, all of us win by helping each other.

Back in September, Aaron shared the first part of his story of hope on the Joyful Heart Blog. In it, he said, "Hope is essential to life, especially for those who are forced (or choose) to deal with painful experiences from our past," Taking inspiration and encouragement from his faith, Aaron made it through. Today, he continues with the second part of his story.

Throughout history, we have watched visionaries change the world. Eli Whitney. Henry Ford. Steve Jobs. Not only did these people isolate a need, but they also found the right way to communicate how their innovation would benefit the world.