Have you seen SIX? We ask because it has been playing at cinemas around the country recently so more people have had access than when it has been in London or on tour. Anyway, quick rundown in case you haven't (but you really should, it is good!) The musical is about Henry VIII's 6 wives. It's premise is they are comparing who had the worst experience with him as a husband. Although, they work out that is not the best way to approach the situation in the end.
Anyway, why are we bringing this up? Because they do a few things that really got us thinking. They change History to Herstory (Ok cheesy, but effective) but most powerfully they played the musical at both the Tower of London - where Anne Boleyn was beheaded in 1536 and at Hampton Court Palace – where Jane Seymour had her baby in 1537 before dying 12 days later. There is something in there about reclaiming ground! How 6 ladies, 500 years later are sharing these women's stories and rewriting the endings, albeit tongue in cheek, in the very place that the worst events took place for them. Somehow it feels like they are reclaiming some ground, getting a final word in for them, no?
Obviously, that got us thinking about how we can do that in our own lives, where and how can we reclaim ground, take back areas, times, places, things (you fill in your blank) that others have taken, stolen, removed from you.
What is it that people or life has taken from you? Is it a thing, an opportunity, a freedom? In our lives we've known restriction and choice being curtailed for others gain.
Reclaiming that ground, that choice, that freedom has been, and continues to be a long process. But recognising it is key.
Are there places you just can't go? Whether they remind you of the trauma or whether it's more things like hospital appointments where touch can be triggering, all that is ground we can gradually reclaim. Like these actresses did, how we can metaphorically go back and rewrite the ending!
We have seen how the abuser leaves so much in their wake for you to live with. How in trying to manage the layers of shame, guilt and trauma, coping mechanisms such as obsessive behaviour, creating rules to live by, eating disorders, addiction and many others kick in to give a feeling of control, but ultimately take over and become something further to overcome. More ground to reclaim.
We've known abuse in churches that has had lifelong impact as they provided high levels of control and "rules." Breaking free of that false teaching is complex and has affected many areas of our lives. We're aware that others have experienced similar challenges in breaking free of religious abuse and reclaiming their sense of self and ownership of their body has been challenging. Having a sense of right and wrong, what "normal " is and whether "pure" is even a word to be considered are all things to overcome. But with time, support and belief it is possible.
So what ground do you need to reclaim?
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