I am not even going to get into the root of the post or the purpose (if you are dying to know I’ll share it below), but one year ago Taylor Swift won her sexual assault case against a Denver DJ who groped her. The jury ruled in her favor one year ago yesterday. She spoke about it really for the first time publicly last night and it got me thinking.
Thank goodness for the listeners and believers in the world. The people who take the time to listen and understand. Our world is so FULL of judgement and ridicule. I can personally attest to going through something hard and not wanting to talk about it for fear of what people would say?
how would they respond?
would they care?
what will they say about me behind my back?
would they want to help?
The list of inner self-doubt can go on and on for miles in a person’s mind. I have been on both sides of this equation. I have spoken about hard things and been so supported and loved by so many. Sadly, I have also seen the other side where “friends” at the time ignore or run the opposite direction because they don’t want to be bothered when things get hard. Or even worse maybe they don’t believe you. To speak up and not be heard is crushing, but to not speak up at all is nasty, too. If we did not have the listeners and believers of the world, where would we be?
I wanted to take a second to thank the hearers and supporters. Thank you to the people who take the time to talk to people. To reach out to one another with nothing but the truest of intentions. Thank you to the people who can easily recognize character over corruption and see when someone is simply speaking his or her truth. Thank you to the individuals who don’t take the fastest route out of a hard and unpleasantly dramatized situation, but instead lean in closer.
I have lost relationships over the simplistic quality of sticking around when the going got tough because sadly not just anyone will do that. However, I have also gained some of the greatest relationships too because I allowed myself to be open to the least expectant listener. To the listeners, pat yourself on the back, you’ve done good, and keep doing exactly what you are doing. To those scared to talk about their heartache and struggle, do not trust everyone, but don’t be afraid to trust someone. Everyone deserves to be heard, loved, and supported no matter what they are going through. Be open to one another and don’t you even think about going to old judgmental ways… it will never, ever be your place. Do not be naïve, but also do not be selfish.
This may seem too deep for you, but bottom line is: listen and believe one another in order to build each other up. I will preach this for the rest of my life. Today, and every day, I am thankful for the listeners and believers. I trust, however small or large, they (we) will change the world !
Sincerely,
Southern and Thankful
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