Sharing Our Story

Written By Don Shetterly

Sharing our story helps heal us and empower others.  While our knees may shake and our voice may tremble, the act of vulnerability we offer to others does so much for us.  In our moment of being vulnerable, others will feel empowered because they identify with us, knowing that they are not alone.

I Won't Back Down

Written by Don Shetterly

I learned recently that Tom Petty passed away.  I did not know his music for a long time, but when I found it, it meant the world to me.  During that particular period in my life, it spoke to me like very little music did.

One of his songs that is an inspirational help to me is "I Won't Back Down."  When I first heard this song, I was going through horrible moments in my life.  I was just coming to terms with the abuse I had gone through.  It felt like everything was against me, including my family and life itself.

The lyrics state "you can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won't back down," and that's exactly what it felt like to me.  It was hell in my life healing and coming to terms with what had been done to me.  If you've been through childhood sexual abuse or torture, you most likely understand the things I am saying.

In another line, the song goes, "Well I know what's right, I got just one life.  In a world that keeps pushin' me around, but I'll stand my ground."  At that moment of my life, I felt like I was being pushed around, but I still knew what was right.

I had a CD of songs that I played which I called my empowerment songs and "I Won't Back Down" was one of them.  Whenever I felt like I wasn't making it or I needed a boost in life, I would play this CD.

Tom Petty's song helped me see that no matter what I've been through, I Won't Back Down.  He kept me going when sometimes that was a huge mountain to climb.

Healing from childhood sexual abuse and torture was and still is not easy at times.  It feels like pure hell.  Often it feels like you won't make it through all the pain or be able to stand when it is over.  That's where I believe what Tom Petty says, "You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I Won't Back Down."

I am sad to hear he passed away.  He will forever be missed in my heart and the hearts of many.  The world needs more people in it like him who see life for what it is, not what we're led to believe it is.

So even though Tom Petty is no longer with us on this earth, I'll say, "You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won't back down."  Oh no, I won't back down.

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Don Shetterly

• Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
• You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  

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Do you empower the possibility of hope in life?

Its easy for us to get taken under by events of our day.  Sometimes life can be challenging as we face the difficult moments in life.  The question should be, "do you empower the possibility of hope in life?"

Sometimes we say we do, but we really don't.  Sometimes we think we do, but we stay stuck in misery.  Sometimes we think we are reaching out, but far too many times, we are in search of misery.

I know, I've been there.  It isn't easy sometimes and other times it can be just about as difficult as one could ever imagine.  If you've walked through the fires of life or are currently walking through them, you know without a doubt, just how difficult life can be.

While I don't necessarily agree with just changing thoughts and ignoring what is before us, sometimes we have to step up another rung on our ladder to see something different.  I feel it is very important to embrace all that we are currently experiencing in the moment, but sometimes even that can be too overwhelming.

In the midst of those moments...

When you're in the midst of those moments, stop and allow yourself to catch up.  Realize that you're trudging through heavy stuff right now, but with all things, it will pass.  The days will get easier at some point.  You can't have a storm without seeing the sunshine and the rainbow appear after the storm is past.

Empower the possibility of hope in life but taking the moment you have and just being okay with it.  Embrace it.  Love it.  Nurture it.  These moments will get you through, but if you fight them with all your energy, you will just drain yourself of necessary resources to move forward.

Hope and Possibility...

There is possibility and hope.  There is the possibility of hope in life if we keep looking for it.  No matter how difficult things can get, there is always possibility.  It is what has kept me going through some of the most difficult times I've encountered.  It is what keeps me in this world at times when I can see no other way.

(click image to read) 

Empower the possibility of hope in your life and it will propel you to the next moment you so desperately long for and want.  It will give you the strength to make it through.  It will help you see much more than you can see in this one tiny moment of your life.

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2016 by Don Shetterly

• Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
• You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  

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Joy, Gratitude, Abundance

No matter how difficult it gets or how much the negative stuff floods my mind, I need to stay in the mindset of hope, gratitude, and joy.

By keeping my thoughts in this realm, I am opening myself up to possibility and empowerment.

Joy and gratitude helps raise my vibration which then allows me to participate in the plane of abundance and what I am called to do.

Forgiving, releasing and letting go of negative drains upon my life will enable me greater capacity for all that is good in my life.

Oprah, Tyler Perry, and 200 Male Survivors Stand Together

Today (Nov 5) on Oprah, the first of a two part episode on Male Survivors is airing. If you have been reading my blog, you know that I'm one of the 200 male survivors in the audience. Since the taping of the show, I have experienced so much support from so many people and some of these are complete strangers to me. Some of the comments and stories shared with me have touched me deeply.

Before the show and after it, I have been on an emotional roller coaster. None of this has been easy and in fact, there have been times that the pain has been great, the tears many and the fears were knocking on my door. In spite of all these things, I would still do a show like this again. It was an experience of a life time. It is one that I will never forget. This episode of 200 male survivors coming together on Oprah with Tyler Perry was empowering. It is hard to describe just how much it has meant to my life.

As I write this, I have been interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel and the Daytona Beach News Journal about my own story and experience on the Oprah Show. My story is difficult to share and probably difficult for many to read. Normally I am very afraid to talk on the phone to complete strangers. However, today I found myself with the courage to do this. It was like I had the full support of 200 other male survivors. I felt empowered to speak out and I know it is the time to stand up and publicly break my own silence.

Article In Orlando Sentinel - Hal Boedeker

Article in Daytona Beach News Journal

I hope that each one reading this will watch the Oprah show today (Friday, Nov 5) and the second part of it on Nov 12. It will be a powerful show and according to Oprah on her press release, it is not only a historical show but to her, it is one of her top shows of all times. This show is important because people need to know that these things take place and we as a society need to work to stop and prevent them from happening. To the men that have been through this, I want you to know from my own experience, that you are not alone. There are many others. You do not need to suffer in silence any more. Yes, it is a difficult path to heal but with the support of others, there is recovery. There is healing!

Please note that if you are watching the show, I am sitting behind Oprah and have a purple shirt on.

To Read More About My Experiences on the Show, Click Here


For further support, check out the following places

Dr. Paul Canali, Trauma Recovery

Don Shetterly.com - Licensed Massage Therapist

Male Survivor Organization

Facebook - Male Survivors on Oprah's Echo Group

A Note From The Universe - Empower

Source: Daily Emails from www.tut.com


To empower another, is to empower yourself.

To celebrate another, is to celebrate yourself.

And to free another, is to free yourself.

I say empower, celebrate, and free them all,

The Universe