WORDS FROM THE DRAGON
The following are the actual words written on various
colored hearts and placed as scales on the dragon’s body at One Billion Rising,
February 14, 2013. As seen below, there
was an overwhelming response; not just from the women but a few young men added
words of their own.
The dragon’s message imparted the following:
“Light and dark. We dance in the light; crouch in the dark. As kids we often dread the darkness of night,
inventing monsters who could eviscerate our happiness with their powerful dark
forces. As adults we no longer have to
imagine monsters – they’ve slunk into our lives via traumatic events. Sometimes we keep those monsters alive by
feeding them our guilt and shame. They can lurk in our shadows, keeping us from
truly dancing in the light. These
monsters can drag on our psyche; drag on, drag on, drag on, until one day we
finally decide we can conquer that dragon!
The dragon here today represents all that keeps us from achieving our
full potential. Feed the dragon our
heart of words; purge the guilt and shame and make your dragon lovable. “
e.e. cummings probably said it best,
“To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s doing its best to make you somebody else is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.”
Your words, unedited:
ILY potato
Doubt Fear
I am stronger than food.
I will be healthy
Loving Myself!
I claim my power and my peace
20 years later – the journey was long
For T.C. – healing & light
Release the 21/2 demons!
RESPECT
My journey speaks for my life
Self confidence every day
I am a strong, vibrant character. I have survived experiences and live to
adventure further.
Soulful longing
That I alone control my destiny and have the power to do
anything!
For My Daughter
Dancing, laughing, loving
To give more and take less and with each gift like a ripple
in the ocean that rings out to all shores
I am strong; I am beautiful; I am a survivor!
You are who you are.
Accept others completely
I have one gift to share. Only by the will of God I have
become a survivor.
Freedom from Fear!
Out of Darkness and Into the light I will shine bright
For every time pink was used against me. (written on a pink
heart) I’m not just a survivor, I’m a champion.
I’m no longer your victim. I am a SURVIVOR.
You are strong. Maybe
your voice heard! Stand up for yourself.
You are worthy.
Nobody can take away your dreams.
I will never misuse or abuse a woman. Every one deserves equal love and respect.
NO MORE NOT NOW
For believing in myself
Joy
I own my part in staying in an abusive relationship. Now I
am free!
NO!
I claim our rights for true freedom, safety, and total
well-being. Blessings
Anything is possible
So my grandkids see equality
Inaction is not an option.
DO SOMETHING!!
Be yourself; your wonderful self.
Why can’t we communicate in a better and healthy way?
Women are strong! We can do anything! We can and will
survive! Always smile no matter what
you’ve been through!
To see around the bend – step forward to live.
I am not a victim; I am experienced
I’m a princess and you can’t tell me what to do!
PEACE starts at HOME
Learn to love even though it’s hard
To define ourselves by who we ARE, what is in our hearts, NOT
the size or shape of our bodies!
I claim the wisdom and power of my heart to overcome the
voice of subjugation
Stand up for yourself!
Stop worrying about things I can’t control
Being impatient is not always a bad thing
I am strong and beautiful no matter how I feel!
Let go of hesitating to speak out for others and myself
Don’t be afraid to stand up for what’s right. It’s never too late!
I will not allow others to shape how I feel about
myself
To make time for myself, because self care is the beginning
of healing
My love and my daughters sustain me and inspire me and keep
me curious
You and your words no longer define me!
I love me; their my parts, NOT YOURS!
Julie and Robin will stop stalking!
Your abuse does not make you a victim! It makes you a true
survivor!
I will love my body and accept every imperfection. I am perfectly imperfect.
Let’s love not hate. More loving relationships, not hurting
relationships
I own that I spoke up when I saw signs of abuse in my
friend’s relationship
For my grandmother, my mother, my sister and myself
Do not sink below, rise above those who bring you down
For my beautiful sister who is still fighting to find her
voice and confidence
I WILL ALLOW MYSELF THE POWER TO CONTROL ME
Investing in myself is just as important!
Reticence
If everyone in this world shared what they had, no one would
want for a thing; World Peace
I will strive to relax and be OK with what is…
I am worthy of love, respect, acceptance, equality. I am open and accepting of this now and
always
I will only be touched with kindness and respect
Thank you 4 standing up; love u
Peace and love to all!
Forgive and Love
For every girl & woman, young & old, it is my hope
that you live with confidence, hope, faith, & courage. Stand up for yourself & what you believe
& we will see a world with less violence
Patience
I am not my past. I
am not the abuse. Only I will
possess myself
I HAVE MY VOICE
Health, healing, love, & community. Now and forever
I want to let go of my anger and start making myself
happy. I love myself and deserve to be
happy
Leave our bodies the fuck alone!
When it comes to my relationship in marriage I deserve to be
treated with respect, loyalty, loving and kind.
I hold the love I have for my sisters!
I slay the dragon of self -hate, low self -esteem and
resentments. I claim my love.
My heart is open! May the mother of all bless her children
today!
I regain my strength, my determination, my power, my
control.
I am a strong passionate powerful woman. You may have taken so much from me but you
did NOT take that! You will never
take that.
I am so so so so so so very afraid I will not be able to
protect my daughter from the violations and rape I experienced
You set a horrible example for your son and
stepchildren. We know better now.
I am someone important and beloved the by the most High God
Equality for all! Peace, Joy, Love
For Sasha – Sunshine and Love
I wish I could have stayed in Philly with my family!
I am here today to thank my MOM! Although she was a
victim of domestic violence she made sure I wouldn’t be! I love you Mom! Thanks you!
I choose sunlight. I
choose joy. I choose to live a life of
strength, hope, and peace. I choose
myself. I choose to be me. I choose life.
Because I am a woman.
And this is MY BODY. Not yours. One Billion Rising!
Forgive others not because they deserve forgiveness but
because you deserve peace.
Love does not mean complacency or giving up or giving
in. Enough is enough.
Let go of pain and embrace joy
Anger over things I can’t control
My opinions and beliefs are a part of me, but that doesn’t
mean I’m always right.
Embrace who you are, not what others want you to be.
Stop society from thinking women can be abused! #!!*!!
Today I claim the right to love happy, whole, unabused, and
with postive self image!
You did nothing to deserve it! It was wrong and unfair. I’m glad you got
away.
Patience and power to speak
No more!! Your abuse will not define who I am. My path in recovery will bring me to
fruition.
Less Judgement! Share & learn and care
Release fear to gain weight and grow
Empowerment to accept my body’s changing self. Growing heart & love
Courage. Heal. Love
XO STRENGTH
Don’t fear God, Do not fear Death. What is good is easy to get. What is terrible is easy to endure.
Remember it’s okay to feel how you feel. You’re allowed to
have emotions
Slaying the insecurity of providing love
I, Charmaine, was molested by my uncle and brother. Raped by
my cousin. But, I survive to help others.
I love my family.
Women’s right is important and love, baby. Hope people come. To show
right?
My voice is important, and I am the only one who can express
it in the world.
Never forget where you come from and the sacrifices your
loved ones had to make to give you the opportunity of tomorrow.
Move toward kindness each day.
You hurt me, so screw you. I have survived, I never needed you to begin
with.
Despite the pain and darkness, the light of dawn will always
shine come morning!
My freedom to be me despite my story! Love me!
Never love anyone who treats you like you’re ordinary.
For those who don’t realize there is a war to be fought.
For my friends, for myself, for my mother, for my aunts, and
grandma.
Empower our daughters.
Improve future generation of women.
I’m no longer a victim.
I am a survivor!
This information was compiled by Shirley Silberman, creator of the Dragon
