Message to a Fellow Survivor.

I've been told that I'm a survivor. That no matter what gets thrown at me, somehow, I keep my head above water and weather the storm. It sure doesn't feel very good sometimes. I wonder what I'm suppose to do next and I get down on myself, the world and everything in it. But here are some thoughts, from one survivor to another, to get you through..........

Have faith. There is more to life than what meets the eye. There really is meaning and purpose to what you are going through, even if you can't see what the meaning or purpose is at this time.

Know that the pain and effort will take time to run its course. Just as a butterfly struggles to escape its cocoon, you can expect to be transformed when you emerge as a survivor.

Acknowledge that evil does exist and that personally you didn't do anything wrong. When people are talking about you, they're giving someone else a break. Soon it will be your turn to take a break and rest.

Have faith that you will recover and that you don't have to understand how.

Know what to expect of yourself and others, if for no other reason than to know that you're not going insane and your wounds will heal. Don't ever consider taking any permanent solutions to what are, after all, temporary problems. Be willing to recover.

Know that you are not responsible for your powerlessness. You are responsible for the choices you make, but not for the choices of others.

Keep your sense of humor. Moving forward just a little at a time is still moving forward.

Channel the anger, rage and pain which you feel in the aftermath in a positive direction. Take full advantage of the abundant source of energy to do something good.

Your ability to love and trust has not been taken away permanently. You've generated love and trust before, and you'll do it again, when you're ready. The next time, it will be for the right people and for the right reasons.

Go into action. Get started on regular exercise. Eat good foods. Stay away from anything that when indulged in to excess, provides only temporary relief but has lasting ill effects on your physical and mental well-being.

Be nice to yourself. You deserve it.

Try to keep talking. It's good to get the mud and slime out from inside before it has a chance to take root and stay forever. Once it's there, it can affect every aspect of your life - so get it out at every opportunity.

Call your friends.

Accept the fact that you have built in human needs: Something to do. Someone to love. Something to look forward to. Keep each in balance and you will be on the road to peace.

When you get frustrated and confused, ask yourself: Why am I here? The search for the answer will lead you to ask: What will redeem the time I have been given today?

Extend a hand to someone who is feeling like you. It's amazing when you take your eyes off yourself and place them on the concerns of others, the world seems a lot more manageable.

Finally, remember the words of Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross:

"If you face a problem, whether you are able to solve it or not, you will grow. If we really want to live, we must have the courage to recognize that life is ultimately very short and that everything we do counts."