#403

The axe forgets;
the tree
remembers.

African Proverb

This is a profound statement. 

Think twice when you open your mouth or raise your fist. This, of course, should be standard procedure, but often it is not. When someone has suffered abuse, whether it is emotional, physical or verbal, the victim has the memory. The abuser usually declares no memory of any wrongdoing... they were in a rage or abusing drugs/alcohol, or whatever the excuse du jour may be. There are scars, visible and invisible, from abuse for the one on the receiving end. The abuser is usually only concerned about himself, no one else's life, pain or even their love is important to him. 

The 'axes' on this planet live in their own little world, they want what they want and they do what they do ... that's who they are. You, on the other hand, don't have to live with abuse, it doesn't have to be part of your journey. You can leave it all behind.

Mankind includes toxic people, they have lessons to learn and teach, as we all do. Don't spend your time trying to fix them, spend the time, instead, working on your own self-esteem. Love yourself first, so you know what you deserve. Life is too short to spend time with people that suck the happiness out of you. 

"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." 

Eleanor Roosevelt

"There's no virtue in tolerating toxic behaviour" Dr. Phil