Not sure why I'm here.

[tirefrust]

Not sure why I'm here.
No matter how I try to connect, I'm alone.
So here I am talking with complete strangers.
I just watched a program that showed several police "sting" operations where they arrested man after man for connecting with a police officer posing as a minor and talking about sexual things online and then going to what they thought was the girl's house. It's so scary to think that there are so many men out there that will go to such lengths to do things. I'm very afraid. I know I can't go around suspecting every man, judging his thoughts, etc. I just don't feel safe, even at church.

[ivonne]

hi Tirefrust,

Welcome to the forum, I'm glad you found us. Please feel free to talk to us about anything that might come up for you.

I'm not voting on your poll, baiscally because the answer that I'd like to give isn't on it. Yes this site has helped me. It's helped me get the word out. It's helped me tell my story.

It's not keeping the memories alive that it's about. It's more like laying them to rest, not having them interfere with the way I live my life anymore. It's acknowledging what happened and by feeling the pain from the past freeing myself from it, like a lesson learned, an experience that I had, no longer the determining factor in my life.

I'm sorry that the police actions are making you feel more afraid. I'm sure they weren't intended to do that. Personally I don't think putting people in jail is the answer we need, but it seems to be the only answer the people in government are willing to look at. My feeling about it is that it's more of the same, more abuse, more powerstruggle, not less.

I hope this website helps you sort through whatever fears you are going through. Welcome to the forum.

Ivonne
_________________
We don’t see things as they are,
we see them as we are.
–-Anaîs Nin

[liat]

Hi,

Like ivonne, I've gained so much sharing my story, I feel the same as she does, it's help balence my perpective on my history, given me an out with lots of friends and support along the way..

it doen't keep the memories alive, it helpto sort them out and find myself in the present.

liat
_________________
When you stop improving yourself, life improves you. In that relaxation, in that acceptance, life starts caressing you and life starts flowing through you - OSHO

Being real brings real results - Liat

[Jane_R]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I know that part, where everything made me feel more unsafe. It's only one stage of the process, however, and if you do the work of confronting the memories--and more importantly, the feelings that are associated with them (fear, mistrust, anger, betrayal...) then much more comes--love, trust, confidence.

So I voted for the 2nd choice but it wasn't really my choice, either. Healing is possible and that is my real vote, that this site helps (is only one smallish part for me) with healing.

Jane
_________________
"Living well is the best revenge." G. Herbert

http://riverofforgetting.com