To avoid repeating what others have shared about painful childhood experiences, let me just make a general comment regarding those various statements. In living our lives, we have all experienced suffering due to the carelessness or thoughtlessness of others, whether done by words or actions. But, that is the beauty of our humanness.

Like most, my childhood was filled with taunts and tortures of various kinds. When journal writing about my childhood experiences, it brought back the sounds, sights and feelings of those difficult times. Ghost-like visions of my peers' contorted faces sneered at me while their taunts rang in my ears. Torrents of emotions ran through me as quiet tears slipped down my face.

Getting back in touch with those memories unlocked something lying deep within me, and the writing poured from my fingers. In writing about each incident, there was a change taking place in my inner world. After hours of writing and processing, one would think exhaustion would follow, yet it did not. There was an inner calmness present. A peace, along with a sense of freedom I had never known. In that state of peace, I retired for the night.

Upon awaking the next day, editing, then typing my journal entries was to be my first order of business. While reading over what had been written, the magic of those words became apparent. With every painful incident, there was a statement of understanding expressed, along with a statement of forgiveness. Right there in my hands, with all those pages in black and white, I recognized the "rightness" of all those childhood experiences.

Life could be compared to a classroom, and our experiences to the class lessons given to us. Those lessons involve much conflict, which creates something with which we can work so we learn, grow and develop into fully conscious humans. Where else are we going to learn the lessons of love, compassion and forgiveness?

It is interesting how the harsh and hateful words of my peers have helped transform my life. Their words challenged me, helping me to "make lemonade, when life handed me lemons."

Yes, words are powerful, and can transform our lives in ways which we are just beginning to comprehend.

Learn more about this author, Dawn Braveheart.
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