Relationships Birthed Out Of Rejection

I have been working on many of these blogs for about four months. I wrote most of this one in October after Domestic Violence Awareness month. Today when I was reflecting on what I had already written about rejection, I had an a-ha moment. A-ha! I have made bad choices in relationships because of rejection! There are times in an effort not to be alone I accepted the absolute worst behavior because someone else rejected me, and I chose people who were killing my soul and my spirit. Reflections from then: During domestic violence awareness month I learned that it takes an average of seven attempts before a woman leaves an abusive relationship. It got me thinking about other things we stay in that are detrimental to us. I thought about the relationships we have that are toxic, where we do all of the giving and receive nothing in return. Some of us take the scripture, “It is more blessed to give than receive,” (Acts 20:35) too far or out of context. Of course we are supposed to bless others without looking for anything in return. However we don’t always form the healthiest of relationships, and these toxic relationships can cause us to be emotionally and possibly physically sick. Have you listened to how people talk to you? Do you pay attention to how people treat you? My mother taught me a long time ago that people treat you the way you allow them to treat you. I am not making any negative statements about women in abusive relationships because that’s not my area of expertise, but I am speaking to people who are in other types of toxic relationships. Do people call you other than your name and NOT terms of endearment? Do people repeatedly and openly reject you and you keep coming back for more? At what point do you say enough? My mission is to not only empower women but to also empower young girls. Young women take their cues from older women. I pray that we learn to love ourselves in such a healthy way that it requires others to do the same. Let’s set the example for the young girls and women who are watching us.