Lessons I’ve Learned From the Dark Side

I have a wealth of lessons learned because of my experience with the dark side of humanity. I’ll bet all of you have learned a thing or two because of your abusive relationships, too.

Maya Angelou said, “I can be changed by what happened to me; but I refuse to be reduced by it.” Abuse could not reduce me. It tried really hard, but I came out better on the other end. I’ll bet you did too.

Here’s a partial list of lessons learned from the dark side:

• Darkness seeks to overpower light; therefore, darkness may seek me again, and again and again because my light is too bright to hide. It’s okay. I beat back the darkness before, and I can do it again.
• Pressure me to be more like you and you’ll see the tail-side of my dress sashaying on to better relationships.
• No one, not my child, husband, friend, parent or boss, has the right to tell me who I am, was, or will be. I decide that for myself.
• God speaks directly to my heart. I hear Spirit’s voice on the wind. You cannot pummel me with your translation of God’s word to pigeonhole me in your prison.
• Snarky comments and barely concealed insults say a lot more about the person saying them than they do about me.
• Anything someone says to me reflects their heart directly into my eyes. I know how to choose good people.
• I do not laugh at jokes that make me uncomfortable. I do not smile when you step out of line.
• The best way to discover someone’s motive is to ask them what it is.
• I love you because you are a human being, one of God’s creations; but I will not let a hurtful nature near me. I do not invite the Devil to dinner.
• Life tries to teach me lessons the easy way first. If easy doesn’t work, it tries again a bit more forcefully. I can now sense when I’m getting an easy lesson! I learn it the first time and feel grateful so life doesn’t need to teach me the hard way.
• How you treat animals foretells how you will treat me. I will not hesitate to take your dog and disappear.
• How you treat people who are noticeably different from you foretells how you will treat me. I will always be different from you, so you’d better be able to handle that with joy, love, and tolerance.

What has your past taught you about life? About darkness?