"DON'T BE ASHAMED OF YOUR STORY. IT WILL INSPIRE OTHERS."


Before you ever make assumptions about someone or judge them for your opinion or perception of their actions and "being", make sure you take time to "know" that person as they are now and the soul beneath the skin. Just because something is rarely spoken of, or in some cases yet to be revealed or "admitted" allowed, does not mean that it is not or has never been. Just because it appears "easy" does not mean that it is, nor does a smile mean that everything is "fine". There are many reasons why one does not share every story they have lived, and yes, sometimes it is because they know how they are seen and do not want to shatter the illusion that others have of them, like I until this point, even as my life was never the "perfect" many thought and I not the "Ice Queen" my adopted "masculine armour" presented to all but the rare souls I had then let into my world.


"There are so many things the world doesn't see...Very few know of my past and any abuse - it's not something I'm proud of or ever wanted anyone to know; maybe because I think the world sees me as "strong", when that is not something a "strong" person allows or endures. Yet I refuse to see myself as a victim...Sometimes what makes us strong is what we go through and we don't know how strong we are until we ARE. There is irony in that...we can hide the truth from [even] ourselves so well we do not realize we have hidden it until something "triggers" an emotion or response that hits us like a flood and we are overwhelmed at its existence. The world sees strength and confidence when they look at me. They see positive encouragement and motivation and passion. They do not see what "drives" that, or the events and emotions behind the purpose for their happening and being...illumination is only painful because it is cleansing us from the inside out, reshaping and recreating us as we learn and grow through the flames...courage building in the vulnerability to be able to shine light on that darkness before others." - Rosie Chee (taken from post - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153330777369132)


I can now freely speak of this, and many other things, and not just because of how much I have learnt about how I am perceived or others see or "think" me, but because I have realized that being "perfect" is "cold" and regardless of how true or not it is or has been, even though it can and does inspire others, it also creates a barrier of unapproachability and feeling of intimidation that prevents genuine connection. Little do many realize how much I have been and lived through, or what I continue to deal with and endure, but it is certainly not "nothing" and those who know and have seen have some fathom of understanding of my true heart and how much I do feel and care, the depths and experiences my empathy and relatability stem from, but also just how much it has taken for me to be able to be so open and continue choosing to keep my soul true to its heart. But this is but one thing and I digress. The point, I think, of resharing this, as it "popped up" as a "memory today" of posting, is that, "EVERYONE HAS A STORY", but also that you never know what someone else is or has gone through, and so before you go assuming based on your own capacity or limitations, don't. We are all here to help each other, some of us to "live more" because we have the "strength" to, but also so that we can be living testmonies of grace for others and while our darkness and the demons in it may be our strength alongside black-winged angels, be the light that others see and need.


Words: © 2018 Rosie Chee