Lynn C. Tolson's Blog: Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story by Lynn C. Tolson, blog, page 25

Tolson 4 TEARS Cheers Prose 4 Soul Music

The world where I've been words cannot describe. The soul alone knows where.

This world is known only by what is most frail and most strong, most full of fear and most unafraid.

I cannot look into the depths of soul music without pain for it is of this world and because it is, there is no veneer.

The tender mysteries not hidden from the reverent eyes of the spirit are not shared by choice, but there is no mask that can hide them.

What one has found must be guarded carefully.

Guarded from the threshold of unreality, of scorn, of death-

Strange to preserve so carefully what neither the mind nor the heart can comprehend.

Tolson 4 TEARS Cheers Prose

The world where I've been words cannot describe. The soul alone knows where.

This world is known only by what is most frail and most strong, most full of fear and most unafraid.

I cannot look into the depths of soul music without pain for it is of this world and because it is, there is no veneer.

The tender mysteries not hidden from the reverent eyes of the spirit are not shared by choice, but there is no mask that can hide them.

What one has found must be guarded carefully.

Guarded from the threshold of unreality, of scorn, of death-

Strange to preserve so carefully what neither the mind nor the heart can comprehend.

Tolson 4 TEARS Cheers Poem 4 Suicide Awareness

"On the Brink" by Lori R. Lopez

We have all felt forlornUnprotected, shocked and wornWith no solace or netFor one moment and yetWe surviveWe're still aliveAsway on the brinkIt is harder than you thinkWhat's disguised as reliefWould bring a deeper state of griefThat final wisp of lifeCan slash sharper than a knifeThrough the hearts of those behindDo not shut them from your mindYou may think nobody caresIn the midst of empty staresWhen you feel the most aloneWith every anguish you have knownReaching out can seem so heavyBlocked by doubt, a massive leveeWhen you're standing on the vergeOf giving up and finding courageThe edge is farther than it seemsYou once had hope, you once had dreamsThe sun will shine again tomorrowJoy will rise from out of sorrowThis cold dagger in your palmTo spill warm blood as if a balmIs just an ugly fallacyA harsh uncaring enemyIt isn't an escapeTo leave the world you've known agapeBereft, your life unfinishedYour potential worth diminishedNo pill or weapon soothes the painThis act would only cause a stainA jagged open woundLike a blaring chord untunedA bandit cloaked in stealthWho would rob you of your healthBut this time it's up to youThere is so much you can doIf you would only stop and thinkThere's no farther you can sinkBy disappearing in the earthYou cannot erase your birthYou are a cog, you are a factThe smallest gesture, any actCould matter to someoneDon't leave yourself undoneLife flows on, it will get betterRelease the pain, the binds that fetterThere are more ways of being freeDon't leave a hole where you should beLives untouched, the future brokenSmiles unshared, kind words unspokenAs if a bomb had just explodedGuns are better left unloadedSo if you're standing on that brinkIt's not as bad as you might thinkDon't let go at the end of the ropeThere is always a way to copeYou can find a reason to liveBy thinking positive.

Tolson 4 TEARS Cheers Suicide Awareness Poem

"On the Brink" by Lori L. Lopez

We have all felt forlornUnprotected, shocked and wornWith no solace or netFor one moment and yetWe surviveWe're still aliveAsway on the brinkIt is harder than you thinkWhat's disguised as reliefWould bring a deeper state of griefThat final wisp of lifeCan slash sharper than a knifeThrough the hearts of those behindDo not shut them from your mindYou may think nobody caresIn the midst of empty staresWhen you feel the most aloneWith every anguish you have knownReaching out can seem so heavyBlocked by doubt, a massive leveeWhen you're standing on the vergeOf giving up and finding courageThe edge is farther than it seemsYou once had hope, you once had dreamsThe sun will shine again tomorrowJoy will rise from out of sorrowThis cold dagger in your palmTo spill warm blood as if a balmIs just an ugly fallacyA harsh uncaring enemyIt isn't an escapeTo leave the world you've known agapeBereft, your life unfinishedYour potential worth diminishedNo pill or weapon soothes the painThis act would only cause a stainA jagged open woundLike a blaring chord untunedA bandit cloaked in stealthWho would rob you of your healthBut this time it's up to youThere is so much you can doIf you would only stop and thinkThere's no farther you can sinkBy disappearing in the earthYou cannot erase your birthYou are a cog, you are a factThe smallest gesture, any actCould matter to someoneDon't leave yourself undoneLife flows on, it will get betterRelease the pain, the binds that fetterThere are more ways of being freeDon't leave a hole where you should beLives untouched, the future brokenSmiles unshared, kind words unspokenAs if a bomb had just explodedGuns are better left unloadedSo if you're standing on that brinkIt's not as bad as you might thinkDon't let go at the end of the ropeThere is always a way to copeYou can find a reason to liveBy thinking positive.

Tolson 4 TEARS Cheers UK Poet John Harrison

Tolson 4 TEARS means author and advocate Lynn C. Tolson "Telling Everyone About Rape &  Suicide." Why? Those who have been sexually assaulted are 14 x more likely to attempt suicide. I'd rather be dead than be raped. During years of suicidal thinking, I never called a hot-line. Why? I thought others had more need and were more worthy of help. I believed I deserved to die. At age 26 I took 300 pills: Dead. Dead. As if I were suspended from the ceiling, I looked upon my body. I saw a sad bag of bones with ghostly white skin and dark blue shadows under the eyes. I was finally dead. (c) Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story



John Harrison thought that same way. Yet he used his courage to connect to a life line, by calling a suicide prevention agency to save his soul. Listen as he tells this story:











Y-O-U are worthy. If you or someone you know is expressing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Y-O-U deserve life.



John Harrison writes poetry and prose in his poignant book "Whispers From Within," which tells of the trauma of abuse survivors. John Harrison's voice says what others are thinking, yet dare not speak. He is able to separate facts from myths, truths from lies; he delivers messages of hope and despair in an emotionally powerful way. In John's own words, his mission is for "raising awareness of child abuse and its consequences in later life." Visit his site, where he generously shares insight and information. bsafe1stalways.com

Tolson 4 TEARS Talks 2 Laurie Ann Smith

Lynn C. Tolson talked with Laurie Ann Smith about the similarities in experience and perspectives between survivors of abuse. Laurie Ann is the author of "A Life of Death and Redemption" which is her memoir about child abuse and its ramifications, such as drug abuse and suicidal thinking. Lynn and Laurie discussed the roles children play, including "scapegoat" and the vanishing of the "inner child." Both Lynn and Laurie had to learn healthy coping skills, and make hard choices about divorcing themselves from toxic family members. Laurie is the Canada Regional Director for Dreamcatchers for abused children. Dreamcatchers is dedicated to educating the public on child abuse. You can hear their discussion from January 17, 2011 here:



Listen to internet radio with Laurie Smith on Blog Talk Radio

Tolson 4 TEARS shares poem from This Tangled Web

Kate Swift, who is an amazing artist, author, and advocate, shared this poem for Beyond the Tears. Imagine how someone feels when a friend contemplates suicide! Thanks Kate.





NOT WILLING, NOT READYTO SAY GOODBYEWAY TOO EARLYTO MOURN A LIFETAKEN SO PREMATURELYNOT WILLING, NOT READYTO STAND AT YOUR GRAVESIDETHAT VOICE IN YOUR HEADTOLD YOU A REAL BAD LIENOT WILLING, NOT READYTO SEE YOUR FAMILY IN PIECESSUICIDE IMPRISONS MORE SOULSTHAN IT RELEASESNOT WILLING, NOT READYTO SAY GOODBYEBECAUSE THIS IS NOTYOUR TIME TO DIENOT WILLING, NOT READYTHIS IS NOTGOODBYE. [image error]

Tangled Web Shares Poem With Tolson 4 TEARS

Kate Swift, who is an amazing artist, author, and advocate, shared this poem for Beyond the Tears. Imagine how someone feels when a friend contemplates suicide! Thanks Kate.





NOT WILLING, NOT READYTO SAY GOODBYEWAY TOO EARLYTO MOURN A LIFETAKEN SO PREMATURELYNOT WILLING, NOT READYTO STAND AT YOUR GRAVESIDETHAT VOICE IN YOUR HEADTOLD YOU A REAL BAD LIENOT WILLING, NOT READYTO SEE YOUR FAMILY IN PIECESSUICIDE IMPRISONS MORE SOULSTHAN IT RELEASESNOT WILLING, NOT READYTO SAY GOODBYEBECAUSE THIS IS NOTYOUR TIME TO DIENOT WILLING, NOT READYTHIS IS NOTGOODBYE. [image error]

Tolson 4 TEARS Introduces Dance by Nissa 4 "My Name Is____" project

An on-line video project has been developed for survivors of abuse to tell their stories. Christopher de Serres and Ophelia de Serres (founders of WomenSpeakOutNow) have set the stage. The goal of the "

Introducing Dance by Nissa 4 "My Name Is____" project

An on-line video project has been developed for survivors of abuse to tell their stories. Christopher de Serres and Ophelia de Serres (founders of WomenSpeakOutNow) have set the stage. The goal of the "