Happiness This Way

Escape!

"Shut up!" Wham! SLAP! Scream!

If only these words were in a movie. . . How he ever came to this place in your life? The fear for herself and her children was worse than the physical and emotional pain. Panic filled again as in the interior realized what I had to do.

Paula Lucas 12 year experience of pure terror as she and her children began to feel sick and abused by her husband. As U.S. citizen living abroad, their options were limited. Living in the Middle East, there was no one to ask for help. Whether he left his marriage, and was caught before reaching U.S. soil, he faced prison and never hug their children. But the risks had to be taken because Paula knew it was to her for her children and herself to safety.

Day after day – for 12 years – Paula wondered how to escape – how to survive.

Night after night she was crying inside. . . begging for answers that never came.

"I have to go away. How I can leave?" I can do back to the U.S.? How? When? Help me! "  

These thoughts raced through his mind the time after of time. The fear, loneliness, anguish and despair mixed all the love I still sometimes felt toward her husband. The cycles of abuse and the attention of ups and downs, as the lunar attraction of the moon.

The care of children during the day keeps your mind occupied. . . at least when things were quiet. The nights were hard. Always cries and fears are magnified in the stillness of the night. Paula knew she had to escape.

Frantic inside but patients abroad, Paula waited until her husband had gone on a business trip, and then began searching for their passports. He had hidden to keep her and the children within both the house and the border. Terrified and desperate, he was defeated. Anxiety took over her home and ransacked in the search. Finally, trembling panic, passports and found a small ray of hope in his heart gradually revived. Knowing his time was limited, he assembled a suitcase her and their 3 children. . . and left. Risking jail if caught, took all his courage and went out of the nightmare and finally released.

Paula escaped the abuse, but ran straight to poverty in the richest country in the world. Without money and owning nothing, he started again. She began to fight again. . . but this time was with the U.S. government. Due to regulations of entry "home" and red tape, found herself homeless and fighting for custody and security of their children. . . again. The freedom she longed for was not gained immediately.

Paula spent more nights many wonder, "Am I get to keep my children? Will we ever get out of this shelter? How many more women like me who live abroad. . . worldwide without no one to call? I need help. They need help. "  

Fortunately, Paula was a fighter.

She quickly realized that no organization exists to help women leave abusive situations U.S. abroad. There was no help for these women desperately need to return home.

Research shows that 4-5 million U.S. citizens living abroad. This nonprofit organization holds about 50,000 of these women and children who are suffering abuse. (The number of abused women and children is only an estimate.)

Paula deep passion to reach these women who have not happened overnight. She lost some battles but ultimately won a large part of the war against the isolation abusive. American women anywhere in the world can now make and receive advice and assistance. Their survival is assured of hope to anyone in need.

Paula thoughts at night yet call for help. . . but now is a voice calling in the name of the foreign currency foreign lands. . . women unknown to her by name, but united in spirit. This little dynamo of a woman has overcome enormous obstacles.

Paula decided to live and help others directly. She succeeded because they gave up. She is no longer homeless, and not even a battle against cancer has slowed. Paula only continues to give and give.

As the 2005 Volvo Corporation Hero Award winner for LIFE, Paula's dream is still to ensure the safety of women and children everywhere. He never dreamed of winning anything with it his life's work. . . except for your own life. I knew deep down that other women get help ensure their own future. And she has done very, very well.

Is not that a key factor in happiness? Reaching the people?

Nothing in life is as precious or valuable as when our hands and hearts are reaching out to others.

If the sadness or joy, I encourage you today to reach someone. . . anyone. . . small-scale or in a big way. I guarantee you both will be richer for it. If you are struggling, take a small step toward another person, and finally, his steps will take you to a better place.

(Remember: If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad in an abusive situation, help: please call International Toll Free Crisis Hotline: 866-USWOMEN)

About the Author

Ginny Dye, Sandi Valentine & Suess Karlsson are a team of writers who all share a passion to empower and motivate everyone who they touch through their writing. Their stories are a gift to the world! Learn how to create the success you dream of, overcome obstacles and challenges, and live a life of grace and love. Please visit us at http://www.firefliesfortheheart.com

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