I’m grateful I haven’t given up via /r/gratitude

I’m in one of the most challenging phases of my life. My ex-boyfriend caused a physical altercation 2 months ago, denies any accountability to what he has caused. He was an aggressor towards multiple co-workers and my family members to gain leadership.

Although, I’ve been isolated, my reputation attacked, my heart shattered. I went to the police, I went through many channels of leadership. I haven’t given up. I haven’t given up on myself or what I believe in. what I stand for.

I’m in an election for local leadership and they are giving it all they got to tear me down and block me.

I didn’t know if I had this in me. I’ll never forget any of this or how it’s impacted me. This isn’t going to be easy to come to terms with but change doesn’t happen all at once. It’s slow, it’s consistent. I didn’t give up. I have always held to my beliefs and platforms. No matter how much it has damaged me. With every challenge, barricade, struggle, and hurt. I didn’t give up! I’m pretty proud of the woman I am because I really didn’t believe I had it in me! Until I knew backing down, would hurt more than what they can say or do to me.

I’m extremely proud of how strong I am.

Election is in 8 days away and I’m going to give it everything I got! I owe all the people that have without question stood beside me, showing up for me to vote, supported me, and believe in me, to give it everything I got.

My ex-boyfriend ended up teaching me a lot about myself. My strength, my mistakes, my faults, my integrity.

As absolutely destroyed I am for what I have gone through. The loss, the heartbreak. I can be grateful he gave me that. I guess he was the hardest test I had to pass and I did. I did not betray myself. Not once. No matter how much I wanted him to be my forever. To choose me. We hit the final impasse. I didn’t and I won’t back down. Ever.