Overcoming Darkness And Stepping Into The Light | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Overcoming Darkness And Stepping Into The Light

When I no longer let it have power over me.

Chanda Payne
May 23, 2017
Armstrong State University
28
Overcoming Darkness And Stepping Into The Light

For legal reasons, his name has been changed.

In my last article, I briefly talked about hiding under my covers to get away from the monster. Here I am to tell you why I was ever hiding in the first place

Growing up most kids had to worry about the monster under their beds or in their closets... My monster wasn't a made up figment of my imagination. He was real and his name was Jay. I will be the first to tell you I would not wish what happened to me on anyone else. All the nightmares, therapy sessions, the constant fear of not knowing if you were about to be in pain or not, and doctors appointments are enough to make you feel like a crazy person, like maybe something is wrong with you and that is why this happened to you. That is not the case. None of it is your fault.

Now I was about 4 or 5 when Jay happened. I remember he told me if he saw me move I would be punished after I got home from school. I learned to hold my breath for a very long time, because I knew if I moved even the slightest I would have another bruise to hide and another story as to how I got said bruise when someone asked me, "What happened there?"

Now I know what you are wondering, "Where was your mom?" She was working two jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over our head. I didn't want her to worry. She found out when she came home from work early and caught him in the act. She got my brothers and I out of that house as safe as possible and called the cops.

Here I am about to be 21 and I still have problems with trusting people completely and, you know what, I will always, in the back of my mind, wonder what if.

Although what happened to me was horrible it's helped me grow into the person I am today. I see the world differently. I take each day as it comes. I'm becoming comfortable in the body that I have. I have embraced what happened to me and I have decided to not let it have any power over the person I am to become in the future. My monster helped me overcome the situation and become the brave young lady standing in front of you now an opened book.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is What I Hope Heaven Feels Like

By: James McDonald

20199
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
81130
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
23180
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
8944
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
73920
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments