Hello, I'm Tamara Johnson, your host of The Get Out of the Mud Show. Today I'm excited about the opportunity to be able to answer a question from one of my listeners. She writes: "I'm in love with a man that I have not seen in almost a year although we talk occasionally. We dated for about 19 months and then, he really broke my heart. I still think about him day and night and I have not dated anyone since. I realize that I lost myself in him and I do not want this to happen again."

Hello, I'm Tamara Johnson, your host of The Get Out of the Mud Show. Thank you for joining me today. As a regular feature of my show, I answer a question that comes from one of my listeners and today, I am going to respond to a question from a woman who asked me about sexual assault. She wants to know how she can overcome the guilt she feels. She also tells me that she has tried to ignore her memories of the rape, but she just cannot forget what happened.
Let me begin by stating that although you feel isolated, you are not alone. One in six American women are victims of sexual assault according to the National Sexual Assault Hotline. Let me also say that you can get free, confidential assistance by calling the hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE.
This is such a sensitive issue and I will do my best to help you understand why being raped is such a powerfully negative experience -- even years after it occurred. And, I will do my best to help you understand how to cope and heal. I also want you to understand that it is very difficult to heal from this kind of trauma on your own. I would recommend that you find a caring, responsive counselor who can help you walk through the difficult process of healing after rape. Trying to ignore the problem will only insure that you will be struggling with the same feelings, symptoms and problems for years to come.

My love offering to women who have been raped. My prayer is that you can reach a similar place in your healing journey.
Much Love,
Tamara

Survivor Psalm

I have been victimized.
I was in a fight that was not a fair fight.
I did not ask for the fight.
I lost.

There is no shame in losing such fights, only in winning.
I have reached the stage of survivor and no longer a slave of victim status.
I look back with sadness rather than hate.
I look forward with hope rather than despair.
I may never forget, but I need not constantly remember.
I was a victim.
I am a survivor.