Crisis: It Will Shred You, or Shape You into a Warrior

Less than 24 hours ago I shared, very publicly and for the first time (on Facebook's Pantsuit Nation), a story that, 5, 10, 15 years ago, I never, ever imagined I'd share.

It is the story of crisis. My crisis. An event that gave me staggering pain, shame and fear for a very long time.

Pinned to a cold, hardwood floor, by a stranger whose friends were also gathered round to take it all in, I didn't know if I'd make it out of that room alive, no less live on to become a mother, wife, teacher, coach and business owner.

But here I am.

What I share here today is not a political post, at least it does not intend to be.

It's not designed to solicit pity or discomfort.

It's a post that is designed to show you that, no matter your crisis -- whether that's in your personal life or your career, whether you caused it, or it was imposed on you without warning or fairness -- you pretty much have two choices:

Let it shred you, or use it as fuel to shape you into a warrior.

With the help of this election season, an amazing counselor, and the overwhelming goodness and support of 40,000 strangers on Facebook yesterday, I choose the latter.

Today, I fill out my application to serve on the Speakers Bureau for RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. If accepted, I will continue to use my voice to help others heal, rise up and then announce very loudly, "This will not be the end of my story, folks. Not by a long shot."

If you're in the midst of any kind of crisis right now, I am so sorry. I want you to know you are loved, you are supported, and that you matter.

If you're in the midst of crisis, I beg you not to let it shred you.