Ashalee On a Mission.: October Marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month...

Hello Friends and Followers:

Welcome to October!

I can't believe we are already in October and these holidays are approaching so quickly. Well tonight's post will be a little different than most because October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Many Americans seem to overlook this predominate and ever growing issue in our society today. DV is a serious issue today it effects not only women but men as well. As a survivor of DV, I have decided to help spread the word and become an advocate for survivors of abuse. This month is very special for me because I get to run my first 5k race in honor of victims and survivors of Domestic Violence. So far I have raised $325.00 for my fundraiser which will help out these families who really need the help. My goal is to reach $500 by October 20th I really hope I can hit the $500 mark. In August it marked four years of being free from my abuser and I am happy to report that I am no longer intimidated by him. He has tried over that last several years to reach out to me and has done much damage but I am happy to report that I AM STRONGER than I was back then. I have changed as a person in both good and bad ways but I am human and that happens. Domestic Violence isn't just physical abuse but its also verbal abuse which can lead to other traumas such as PTSD and Anxiety Disorders. Almost three years ago I was diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and it all boils down to having a gun to my head and my life literally flashing before me. I really thought I was going to never see my family and friends again, luckily I was able to break free and something in my abuser snapped and he stormed out of the house. Busted lips, swollen face and unable to walk- I grabbed the phone immediately and made the toughest call I ever had to make and that was to my parents telling them I was hurt and abused. I never in a million years thought that I would have ever had to make that call for help. I am truly blessed to have such amazing parents and an amazingly supportive family and handful of friends to make my move back from Texas run more smoothly. Without the support I received I really can't say where I might be today or what mindset I might be in but I am so thankful for everyone who helped me when I most needed it. DV is a serious issue today and I am asking everyone that if you witness someone being abused please SPEAK OUT! For my followers that are in a similar situation to what I experienced four years ago, Listen - You are worth more than anything, There are ways out of abuse and help is out there.

Remember don't let bad situations DEFINE YOU, You are a beautiful butterfly and always ,always, always BELIEVE in YOURSELF.

For my own personal battle, I still have my body image struggles but over the last twelve months I have learned to accept some of my flaws and grow from every experience both good or bad. I have my moments of insecurities- for instance in these last two weeks since I have moved to a new place I have been focusing more on that with the unpacking and everything rather than working out and this morning I had an insecurity outrage by asking my husband multiple times if it looked like I was gaining weight or if i looked fat in my dress that I was wearing for work. My husband reminded me that I've come a long way and that I looked beautiful, he reassured me that this week I will hit the gym and everything will go back to normal. He made me feel better but I still had my mental "fat girl" state. Its like the little demon that never goes away, Sometimes I have to tell that demon to SHUT UP because deep down I know better and I know that each day I am working on losing weight and trying the best that I can. We all have struggles and its all on how we cope with those struggles and just always keep in mind that LOVING YOURSELF is the best gift you can give to YOURSELF.