Latonia Hendry, and four local Survivors and Advocates in Savannah, take on a series of topics for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in part 2 of this 3 part discussion. Please listen to part 1 last week if you missed it

.From left to right:Min. Shondtel Walker, Author, business owner, and Advocate.Lady Veronica Stanford, Author, Trendsetter, and Philanthropist.Lady Katrina Smith, Information Specialist for Sisters Helping Sisters Social Org. for Women, Inc. and Community/Children Advocate.Lady Melanie Mason, Founder and CEO of Rise Up 2 Build Up, Women/Community Advocate, Voiceover Artist.

A Panel Discussion on Domestic Violence: Myself, LaTonia Hendry, and four local Survivors and Advocates in Savannah, take on a series of topics for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in part 1 of this 3 part discussion. From left to right: Min. Shondtel Walker, Author, business owner, and Author, Lady Veronica Stanford, Author, trendsetter, and Philanthropist.Lady Katrina Smith, Information Specialist for Sisters Helping Sisters Social Org. for Women, Inc. and Community/Children Advocate.Lady Melanie Mason, Founder and CEO of Rise Up 2 Build Up, Women/Community Advocate, Voiceover Artist. 

https://www.amazon.com/Window-Without-Issues-Heart-Male-Become/dp/1720914834/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539888849&sr=8-1&keywords=Issues+of+the+heart+male+when+his+issues+become+your+issues&dpID=410Rs9dOC3L&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout the month, advocates across the nation come together to end domestic violence. As advocates, we understand that this fight is a daily one to help victims become survivors and to protect lives, but in October, the focus is more intent, and many events and activities are planned many months in advance. My book, "A Window Without A View" is about a very dark time in my life living in an abusive marriage but also remembering the molestation that happened to me as a child. This book is more serious than, 'Issues of the Heart-Male; When His Issues Become Your Issues' because the occurances in were on a more mature level. The book is about living your life but not really seeing your situation.

A Window Without A View

Somewhere along the lines of an old wives tale about, "...words can never hurt me", we have found out that is a lie. Verbal abuse can cause just as much harm as physical abuse, but because words are seen as trivial and harmless, we do not take verbal abuse seriously. The tongue can be a vile little creature, and when the ones we love use words to hurt us, it cuts deeper than any physical scar can. Words are a double-edged sword; they can help or harm."Use your words to heal not hurt!" Latonia Hendry

When we correlate traumatic events that have happened to us, and compare it to issues that our partners may have, they fit together. Especially in intimate or parental relationships, issues of the males in our lives may seem like a heart issue, but it is a mind facet that connects their mental issue with our heart in a negative way. It is a heart issue for us because of how we were created as women. We have a yearning to be fixers, but at some point, we can become the recipient of the issue. "Live to tell your story. Do not become a statistic; do not be spoken of in the past tense!" Latonia Hendry

According to Psychology Today, as many as 70% of adults and 52% of children suffer from Depression as a result of recently being removed from an abusive situation. In a 7-10 year case study, those numbers increase by 9% in adults and 12% in adolescents up to age 19 and young people up to age 24. When we are experiencing abuse, or just getting out of a toxic relationship, we do not fully grasp the severity of what is or has happened because we have a self-mechanism to 'numb' ourselves to adapt and accept. As time goes by, and we realize fully what has taken place, the hurt and shame may bring on depression or even a deeper depression. The numbers are also higher because children do not tell sometimes until their teen years or even adulthood. Women sometimes feel that stigma of blame as well and do not come forward until years later. This is also true of children whom have grown up in abusive homes.There is hope for a better tomorrow not filled with disturbing thoughts and images that may cause our mental health to become imbalanced. We do not have to live a life suffocated by The Silent Weapon of Destruction."Your beauty may be covered in ashes, but ashes can be washed away!"

Traumatic experiences can produce negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions. You may feel trapped in a place of darkness that you feel there is no escape from. A feeling of drowning and hopelessness that has confined you to being stunted from any growth; or growing minimally. You do not have to live in the prison of your mind. Unlock the cell door and throw the key as far away from you as possible. Take control of your thoughts and live your life to the fullest. "The only thing holding you back is you. You were created for greater!"

This introductory podcast of A Woman's Soul Restored will focus on how repressed hurt can manifest in your life presently.  Pain, that has not been addressed, has a way of showing up when you least expect it. Life is more than existing, but hurt and pain causes you to do just that; exist. Life is to be lived with purpose and joy, and not just going through repetitive motions just to get to the next day.  Choosing to move beyond your past does not mean that you forget, but it does mean that you can use your past to achieve a wonderful future of acceptance and continuing to grow."The negative occurrences that may have happened in our past does not define us but refines us for a greater purpose!" Latonia Hendry