I've focused a lot on addressing flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks and negative memory of my childhood abuse.

What has helped me more has been to focus on bringing forward positive memory.

Times when I felt truly loved, and cared for, and listened to, and not judged nor shamed nor blamed.

I'm interested in hearing success stories.

I will share one brief one.

I had signed up for a massage while I was at a resort recently. The practioner was a stranger, a young woman and I found myself going into a judging place instead of just recieving the massage. I felt alienated, and I felt afraid. I couldn't tell where she was going or if she was even connected to me.

Then I was able to access the part of myself that remembers the love my partner feels for me, and who remembers being truly attended to with a non-judgmental awareness by a former therapist from many years ago. I was able to access that part of myself and turn it toward the frightened self.

Then I relaxed and enjoyed the massage without having 'requirements' of the practitioner.

Now when I am judged or misunderstood, I have this resource. I don't have to buy into shame or blame or fighting my feelings. I can recall these positive memories as anecdote to the negative ones.

Life, bring it on, I'm ready for you.