Victim to Victory - A life changed
Like most people today, I came from a broken home filled with dysfunction and chaos. Family fighting, childhood beatings and emotional detachment were a normal day in my home. Before I had even graduated high school I had already experienced physical, sexual, mental and emotional abuse so severe that it drove me into a deep rebellion with no regard for life. As a young child I remember closing my eyes, begging God to just take me away. I would hide in the woods pretending I just disappeared until the dinner bell rang. The sound of that bell would make bring chills to my spine because I knew what trouble awaited if I didn’t make it back in time.
It wasn’t until the exposure of me being sexually abused by a family member and my family siding against me that I broke. It was at this point when a complete disregard for myself and life started to unfold. I turned to the streets at just 14 years old, and in desperate need of acceptance, was introduced to drugs and drinking. It was during this chapter of my life that I was in/out of jail, probation, and court appointed rehabs. I found myself in the first of many abusive relationships. After graduating high school, I knew I desperately needed change. I started moving from state to state like a gypsy searching for a new life, only to discover more dysfunction everywhere I turned. It wasn’t until I was in my darkest hour - when the walls caved in around me, people turned against me and predators took advantage of me - that I felt this was my end. It was the smallest flicker of fate that saved my life during this dark hour. By sear fate I was reconnected with my real father who had abandoned our family so many years before. In a desperate need for help, he opened his doors and heart to me in hopes of renewing what was long thought to be a lost relationship.
With $300 to my name, I gave away everything I had collected in my 21 years that didn’t fit into the few duffle bags and hopped on a one-way train headed to California. With an overdue deep breath of fresh air, I finally found myself in a stable environment free of lies, repressed emotion, chaos, alcohol and drugs. It was within this space the untangling of a life time of dysfunction had begun. I continued to struggle mentally. I found I had attracted another mentally abusive relationship and was now struggling through depression, self worthiness issues and what untimely became a five year eating disorder. Once again darkness crept in around me. Not knowing where to turn, I knew it was time to take a long hard look in the mirror. As I pulled myself off the floor, I pointed to myself in the mirror and with a deeply convicting voice, I declared “It is time to take responsibility for your life & learn to love you!” From that point on I vowed to learn how to respect myself, release my internal blocks and break free into a life filled with more joy, love, purpose and fulfillment then I could have ever imagined.
Today I look back with deep empathy for the pain that little girl endured, but passionately value the strength it gave me to be the women I am today. Knowing what it takes to FREE your life has helped me make it my purpose to show people just like you the Optimistic Journey. It is your choice to live a meaningful life and I can show you the way, are you ready?
Begin your journey of self-empowerment and learn to start living fearlessly! Stop procrastinating and start taking action because YOU DESERVE IT!
Learn more about Bonnie by coming to one of the Optimistic Journey Meetups. Most classes are free and located within the greater Sacramento area.
With multiple accredidations, Bonnie Kelly helps you live your best life possible!