A Grain of Sand gives back! I am honored to announce the charity that Mama Sand & I have chosen to support. This cause is very personal and close to my heart. Although it's difficult to share, I feel called to take this step. We are passionately dedicated to making a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence. That's why a portion of every sale will be donated to My Sister’s House in Statesville, NC, providing hope, support, and a brighter future for those in need. As a survivor of domestic violence myself when choosing a charity to give back to I instantly knew what it would be however, I have waited quite some time to share this charity with the community. I have had my reservations on doing so as I’m sure you all can imagine. This is extremely personal but I also feel it is my duty to stand up and be of service to victims in a hopeless situation. I’ve been there and it is dark and scary. Staying silent does nothing! So, if sharing my story and message of hope helps just one person then it was worth it! As a teen, I faced the struggles of my parents' divorce and found myself on a difficult path. By 21, I was married with a son, and by 26, I was facing a divorce of my own. Instead of taking the time to process and heal, I jumped from one relationship to another, each time feeling more broken inside. I attracted the wrong kinds of partners, ending up with some truly monstrous souls. I won't delve into the details, but things got really bad. Being afraid to leave but also afraid to stay is a terrifying place to be. I eventually began confiding in my friends and family about what was happening. The support I received was overwhelming! Mama Sand started sending me crystals by mail. At first, I didn't know what to do with the crystals, but they later became a source of inspiration for me to make a radical change. They made me feel empowered, strong, and supported. For the first time, I felt like I could face my fear of change, with a little help from advocates for domestic violence victims. After reaching out to my local department of social services and receiving all the necessary information to leave safely, I finally began to heal. I broke my self-destructive cycle and, for the first time in my life, felt ready to make a change and confront the ugly truths within me. During this time, I realized that I had been avoiding the healing process because it is hard. Let's be honest, the feelings that come up and the things you need to address on this journey can be really tough! It's not a pretty process at all. However, I've learned so much about myself through it. The most important thing I've learned is how to LOVE MYSELF! In my 36 years of existence, I can honestly say I never truly loved myself. I thought that I could fix my broken parts with love from another person, but this only caused me more pain and trauma to heal from later. I also learned that the law of attraction is real—I was bringing the darkness I had inside my own soul right to my front doorstep. These relationships were a mirror of the darkness I carried within me. Almost three years ago in January of 2022, I started on a remarkable healing journey, and today, I stand as the most authentic, healed version of myself that I have ever been. Reflecting on this journey, I am humbled and eternally grateful for the incredible support that lifted me from despair. If you're reading this and are facing or have faced similar struggles, take heart! There is always hope!!! You have the power to transform darkness into light. There are compassionate people ready to support you discreetly and safely. Reach out to support networks; healing is not just a possibility, it’s a reality waiting for you. Remember, you are not alone on this journey! If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic violence, please call 1-800-799-7233. Help is available, hope is real, and together, we can overcome.
