There is a trap that many survivors of domestic violence know all too well.
One foot is stuck in yesterday.
The other is trapped in tomorrow.
Yesterday whispers:
“Remember what happened to you.”
“Remember the lies, the betrayal, the fear.”
“You’ll never be the same.”
Tomorrow whispers something different:
“What if it happens again?”
“What if I fail?”
“What if no one believes me?”
“What if I can’t make it on my own?”
When your heart is caught between the pain of the past and the fear of the future, it’s almost impossible to enjoy the life that is waiting for you today.
Healing doesn’t mean pretending your past never happened. Your story matters. It shaped you. It taught you lessons you never asked to learn. But your past was never meant to become your permanent address.
The future isn’t meant to be feared either.
No one knows exactly what tomorrow will bring. But survivors often imagine the worst because their minds were trained to expect danger. Abuse teaches people to stay on high alert. It convinces them that peace is temporary and happiness won’t last.
The truth is this:
Your future has not been written yet.
Every healthy boundary you set…
Every counseling appointment you attend…
Every morning you choose hope…
Every person you allow to help…
Every small step forward…
You are writing a different ending.
Happiness doesn’t come from having all the answers.
It comes from giving yourself permission to live today.
Take the walk.
Drink the coffee.
Laugh with your children.
Ride your motorcycle.
Watch the sunset.
Call a friend.
Plant the flower.
Celebrate the quiet victories that once seemed impossible.
Life isn’t found in reliving yesterday or fearing tomorrow.
Life is happening right now.
At RADV, we believe survivors deserve more than survival. They deserve peace. They deserve hope. They deserve moments that remind them they are finally free to breathe again.
Don’t let the memories of your past define your future.
Don’t let the uncertainty of tomorrow steal the joy that today is trying to give you.
Because healing begins the moment you decide that today is worth living.
— Dave Beatty
Riders Against Domestic Violence (RADV)
We Are the Bridge