See With Your Heart

Hi everybody! I woke up this morning feeling very optimistic and cheerful. Yes, it's Sunday. Yes, the semester is almost over. Yes, I had a dove bar for breakfast. But the point is I love when I get epiphanies in the morning because they last the whole day! Today I titled the post "See With Your Heart". This post is going to be dedicated to every victim who either didn't survive, or whose voice has never been heard.

We see domestic violence in the news, and we know it exists all around us. By now you've probably seen it more than you'd hoped. No matter what age, gender, personality, economic status, lifestyle, or whoever they are, victims go through their own unique experience. They fight a battle that no one other person can fully understand. They fight that battle every day, and for some the battles end tragically. But that does not make them any less of a fighter. We can sympathize, but we will never know exactly what they went through. All we can do is extend our care and support. Those victims live with their scars, whether they be physical or mental, and we have no right to deny them.

When you are walking around your town, do you smile at the people passing you by? Do you wave at people you know despite what mood you're in or what kind of day you are having? Do you hold the door open for someone walking behind you? Do you help someone who looks like they're having trouble with something? Do you reach out your hand because you know you can? I know we are entitled to put our own needs first, but if those needs are met then why can't we extend our help to others? We have the ability to do that, and there's no reason we shouldn't. Our help can save someone's life.

I once heard a story about a depressed person who wrote a suicide note before jumping off a bridge. The note said, "If just one person smiles at me as I walk down the bridge, then I will not jump."

No one smiled. Not one person smiled at that person. Our small and seemingly insignificant gestures could actually mean everything to a person. We do not know just by looking at someone what kind of battle they are fighting, but everyone is fighting one of their own. I'm not asking you to save the world. All I ask is to think before you act. See with your heart instead of your eyes. Know that every person walking by you is fighting their own unique battle, and that a smile can go a long way. Understand their pain as if it is your own, and reach out to them by whatever means. Whether it be a smile, holding the door, getting a coffee with them, or just simply talking to them. Instead of ignoring the bruises, or ignoring the incessant calls, talk to your friend and see what's going on. No conversation is not worth having due to potential awkwardness or discomfort. Talk to them. Break the silence and talk about abuse. Too many victims battle every day and their voices are silenced. Too many victims are permanently silenced from their abusers. Too many victims feel alone and helpless. Too many victims are not being saved.

It is not our job to end ALL abuse, but we can work on it by talking about it. Start conversations. Do not sit idly by and pretend it doesn't exist. Do not wait for your friend to talk to you first. Start talking! Start talking to your friends. Talk to your family. Talk to your peers. Talk to your schools. Talk to your states. Raise your voice for those who cannot, and let them know that you care and that they are not alone. We dedicate so much of our time to ourselves, so why not take one day out of our lives to talk about abuse?

The Love Is Not Abuse campaign is hosting their annual "It's Time To Talk Day" (ITTTD) on December 8th. Here's the link- Check it out!! I am fortunate enough to attend it this year and interview some amazing people who work in this field of abuse prevention. I will be tweeting about it, and posting more about it here. I am beyond excited (I literally can't even express it- these people are my idols), and I can't wait to share it all with you! Please take the time that day and any day to talk about abuse. You never know who it can help. Do your part, and stop the hurt. Thank you!