by Joyce Kyles | Jun 5, 2017 | Blog
June is recognized as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness month. It is commonly referred to PTSD. By definition, it is a mental health condition some people develop after a traumatic experience. Most often, PTSD is associated with someone who has served in combat while in the military. Over the years, it is now being recognized among individuals who’ve experienced other types of trauma. Examples include a life threatening event, domestic abuse or sexual assault. PTSD is oftentimes overlooked. However, far more people suffer from it than most of us could possibly imagine.
For me, it was not something I even realized I suffered from until I was sitting in a workshop a few years ago. The topic was PTSD and the facilitator is the Director of The Athena Project here in Memphis. As she described the symptoms, I found myself becoming overwhelmed with emotions. I cried. Not so much because I realized in that moment that she was describing me and my life. I cried because for the first time in my life, I felt like I had an explanation for why certain things affect me the way they do. It was a sigh of relief. My feelings finally had a name, and the name was PTSD.
If you are reading this, I strongly encourage you to check out the following link: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/ptsd-overview/basics/what-is-ptsd.asp It’s from the Department of Veterans Affairs. It provides some great information regarding PTSD, including knowing the signs and getting help. If you’re in the Memphis, TN area, please reach out to The Athena Project: http://www.memphis.edu/athena/
by Joyce Kyles | May 27, 2017 | Blog
This past weekend, I was a vendor at an event for an organization called Beautiful Spirited Women. I learned of this organization while chatting with a young lady affiliated with them. It was a networking function for a company that she nor I are currently connected to. But, the information she shared with me about BSW was inspirational right from the beginning. Eventually, I would meet the Executive Director and that one meeting has turned into years of friendships, sisterhood and a dedication on my part to donate my time, talent and sometimes, finances to them whenever I can. I’ve always done it because I believe in their cause to help tweens/teens to develop the holistic skills they need to grow into powerful, courageous, strong women leaders for themselves, their families and their communities. I’ve not expected anything in return.
So, when the Executive Director talked about this year’s honorary member being a woman of service, dedication to the organization and the work she does in the community, I intently sat there waiting, like everyone else, to see who they were talking about. When she said my name, I was completely caught off guard. I cried…not a big surprise to anyone who knows me. It’s is an honor for me, and I’m extremely humbled by their love and respect for me and what I do.
For anyone who may be reading this, always know that someone is watching what you do-good or bad. Someone’s always paying attention. The key is to be found doing your best. Be a good steward over your finances. Be a listening ear for someone who just needs to be heard. Help those who are in need of kindness, love, support and sometimes, just a big, warm smile and heartfelt hello. Do what you do from your heart and not for accolades and fanfare. You never know who will recognize you and in what way. Thank you to Beautiful Spirited Women for honoring me as I honor you and your commitment to our young people. To learn more about BSW, click here: https://www.facebook.com/beautifulspiritedwomen
by Joyce Kyles | May 2, 2017 | Blog
National Small Business Week for 2017 is from April 30th through May 6th. In honor of NSBW, I am offering the sale of my book at 10% off. And…I’m offering $100 off on all of my services. If you’re interested in taking advantage of these savings, please email me at joyce@joycekyles.com & I will send you a special invoice to reflect the discount of your selected product and/or service.
When you support a small business, you’re supporting individuals who have taken the brave step to work for themselves. You’re supporting someone else’s dreams of self sufficiency and entrepreneurship. I look forward to working with everyone who trusts me with their personal and professional goals, dreams and aspirations. I am humbled by every book purchase, and I hope that readers find it to be easy to read and helpful in their pursuit of holistic restoration.
Be intentional this week and support small!
by Joyce Kyles | Apr 29, 2017 | Blog, News
Today, I listened to our local news give a report on a 35 yr old man living in Canada who tried to lure a 13 yr old girl for sex. Over the past couple of week, I’ve listened to reports of sexual assault and the number of rape kits still untested in our city. I won’t even start on the multiple murders and abuse cases reported related to domestic violence over the past month. Housing for victims of abuse is extremely limited and the criteria, in many cases, doesn’t fit the clients that need a place to stay. Lately, those serving the community in a professional capacity are the ones being arrested. By professional, I mean police officers, attorneys and public officials. I know our city isn’t alone in much of this. But, Memphis is the city I live in, and therefore, I feel I must continue to push here and work as best as I know how to spread awareness and challenge action. I’m talking tangible action. I’m talking accountable action.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. I encourage everyone reading this to please take a look at this link for additional information about sexual assault, rape, etc: https://www.rainn.org/articles/sexual-assault
I want to encourage the following:
Have a conversation with your tweens/teens about sex, good touches, bad touches and social media. If you feel you need to look through their phones and computers-DO IT! It’s not about their privacy. It’s about their safety. What they feel is harmless or meaningless is oftentimes the very things that predators are looking for. Make sure you’re spending quality time with your tweens/teens. Listen to them. What you don’t want is for them to feel they must look for love and affection from a stranger.
If you have been sexually assaulted, report it. Get counseling. Seek justice. Your voice and your feelings matter! Don’t let anyone make you believe anything different. Silence is what the perpetrator is relying on. If you’re a family member or friend, be supportive. Believe the person who’s been assaulted. Do not judge or offer your ‘what I would have done’ attitude because you really can’t say for sure what action you may have taken, and honestly, it’s not what a victim nor survivor needs to hear.
Get involved-PLEASE. See something-say something. Write letters to your local and state officials. When it’s time to vote, see where politicians stand on the issues that matter to you. Vote them in OR OUT! Volunteer your time to support groups as a peer mentor. Receive certifications from places like the local Memphis Child Advocacy Center or National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA).
by Joyce Kyles | Apr 18, 2017 | Blog
This weekend, I received the 2017 Crime Victim Advocate of the Year award. I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this award. On April 10th, I celebrated 7 years of speaking about my abuse for the 1st time in a public setting. So, to receive such an award at this stage of my life is a personal and professional joy.
My life has definitely had it’s share of peaks and valleys. It has been an honor to serve my community. When I spoke about my abuse for the first time, I didn’t plan on doing it again. At the time, I really just wanted to speak my truth in a setting I felt would help the attendees to talk with their children. The conference for which I chose to share was not a domestic violence conference. In fact, it was for teen girls to learn about topics related to careers, self esteem and etiquette. I chose to talk about domestic violence with the parents because adults who deal with the aftermath of abuse have often seen it or experienced it as a young child or teen. I felt it was important to have the parents think about having a conversation with their children about abuse. Acting out, being an introvert, suicidal thoughts, etc could be the result of an underlying problem with abuse.
From the moment I spoke about my life, I made friends that I still have today. I ran in the 5K Sexual Assault Race this weekend with one of them. I’m the Executive Director of Walking Into A New Life, Inc. I continue to speak and present locally and nationally about personal development, overcoming adversities and becoming self sufficient. I’m committed to help others to not see themselves as victims but as survivors. Victimization is a crime. I want to always be found being a voice for those who can’t or aren’t able to speak until they have the courage and opportunity to speak for themselves.
June is recognized as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness month. It is commonly referred to PTSD. By definition, it is a mental health condition some people develop after a traumatic experience. Most often, PTSD is associated with someone who has served in combat while in the military. Over the years, it is now being recognized among individuals who’ve experienced other types of trauma. Examples include a life threatening event, domestic abuse or sexual assault. PTSD is oftentimes overlooked. However, far more people suffer from it than most of us could possibly imagine.
