My journey of leaving a religious cult has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. For years, I was immersed in an environment that PREACHED love and community, but in reality it was all about control and fear. I became a victim of Narcissistic abuse. When I was shunned, it felt as if I was thrown into an abyss of void-suddenly cut off from my foundation my family and people I had come to love as family including friends that I actually believe cared for me. It was the most heart wrenching experience that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. However it sparked my spiritual awakening and this began my challenging healing journey. I freed myself from the clutches that of the cult but I didn’t have my very own identity. Suffocated by the pain of isolation I questioned my worth and lived everyday in survival mode. I was TERRIFIED of the “worldly people” having been taught from infancy that the outside world is filled with danger and demonic influences. Although I was blessed to find genuine friendships who were sympathetic to my background, they could never understand or accept the reason for the shunning. Thus I prayed for a community of Ex Jehovahs witnesses that would “get it”. As I sank deeper into depression and the feeling of loneliness I had to fight suicidal thoughts as healing from this type of abuse is not a straightforward journey. FINALLY I found The Exodus Group and was finally seen heard and accepted. The Exodus Group has helped me to find the strength within me to reclaim my voice, reclaim authenticity, my identity, and my right to choose my own path. Connecting with this wonderful nonprofit organization has helped me to understand that being SHUNNED was NOT a reflection of MY VALUE. Today I stand proud on my decision to leave the cult partnering with The Exodus Group to build a community for the shunned where they can embrace their new belief system, receive support, acceptance and genuine unconditional love.