[Paladin]

Sometimes an unsuspecting "friend" will take your hand just to get a little better angle at your back

when you've been to a battle before you know better than anyone else.....what to pack in your bag........what boots to wear....and as hard as the battle was the first time....you go into the second one a survivor of the first......who is more capable and much stronger than ever let on.

and although the Stockholm Syndrome can challenge the mind of anybody trying to survive abuse and control....as soon as the door is open.....the light is seen.....i run back to all that sustains me and freedom is mine and i am free

identifying with a captor can reek havok on a mind that cannot filter out what it has seen and heard and challenged through intimidation. And sometimes the mind does not want to absorb what it cannot understand or believe could be, but eventually denial and search for understanding come to a final end and it feels really good to stand up from it and brush off the cargo's.........and move on from what kept us so stuck

Hi all. I am Paladin and I have been in a very emotionally abusive relationship and I was trying to keep things safe and controlled when just the opposite was happening..i was being controlled to keep someone else from following through with threats, or lashing out because my truths exposed their lies

But today..I have taken my control back and..I am free...I am no longer silenced and I want to take a moment to thank anybody who offered me support during late night chats......Harley rides...bon fires...songs to get us thru....I am now safe....because I no longer hide in fear--and i look forward to coming here once in awhile, as I need and can...because this is a great public place to offer support and receive support....and when I am free to be me...i am good at both!! Lessons learned, strength gained!!

Ah yes, life is good!!