Giving Meaning to Our Suffering, to Our Abuse

Coming Forward

Resources mentioned within this episode:

- Talking to Your Kids About Sexual Assault: https://www.rainn.org/articles/talking-your-kids-about-sexual-assault

- Viktor E Frankl's book- Man's Search for Meaning

-The Body Keeps the Score referenced pages- (If you do not have the book, please email and I can send you the text) Pages 26-27 under the section, Making Sense of the Suffering and Pages 76-78 under the section, Ivan Pavlov and the Instinct of Purpose.

-ASCA https://www.ascanyc.org/ (If you are interested in starting an ASCA support group in your area, please email [e-mail])

-Fact check on Blackbird play, yes our presenter was correct- it is Jeff Daniels and Michelle Williams

-Tiger, Tiger: A Memoir Book by Margaux Fragoso

-Dr. Joe Dispenza- https://drjoedispenza.com/pages/about

-You Can Heal Your Life- Book by Louise Hay

-Additional resources here with hotlines and organizations: https://www.ascanyc.org/resources

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Topic reading:

In Viktor E Frankl's classic book Man's Search for Meaning, he describes and reflects on some of his experiences as a prisoner in several Nazi concentration camps during World War II. One of the themes developed throughout his book is the importance of making sense out of senseless suffering and brutality. Frankl reflects that prisoners who were able to introduce meaning into their daily lives, to give meaning to their endless pain and torment fostered an increased capacity to grow as human beings even though they were in a devastating situation of dehumanization. They not only survived within the concentration camps, but also following their liberation they went on to live fulfilling lives free of bitterness and hate. When we were children it was difficult if not impossible to create meaning out of the suffering we endured due to the child abuse inflicted on us. But as adults it is essential for our inner growth and our ability to move-on with our lives to reflect, to give meaning, and to make sense out of the senseless suffering we encountered. This is important since as adults we have choice. We have the freedom to give and to define the meaning of our senseless suffering. The meaning we choose to give to our past child abuse suffering helps to focus and direct our daily lives. The meaning is like one of the pair of eyeglasses we wear to see and interpret our life and the reality around us.

Questions 1. What are your thoughts about the meaning of your child abuse, about the meaning of your suffering? 2. How do you make sense out of the senseless suffering and abuse you experienced as a child?

Link to all ASCA topics: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb621ac34c4e254dd6315e9/t/5bd78e08f4e1fc0b2cbf8ab8/1540853257345/ReaderCmeeting.pdf