#ESDWorks

A few days ago, El HaLev received a really horrible message through their Facebook page. The gist of it was, “You are a stupid organization teaching stupid things that won’t work and you are lying to people if you think that it will because nothing works against people you know and trust.”

While I feel deeply for the writer, and while I know that what we teach does not work 100% of the time in 100% of the situations, the people who teach ESD know that what we teach works and changes lives.

The people who teach ESD know that what we teach works and changes lives.

How about the therapist who lived with terrible verbal and emotional abuse for decades, but brushed it off with, “That is who he is, and I just don’t listen to it.” Until she took a course and realized that she and her children did not deserve to live like that?

And what about the middle-aged psychologist who found the strength to stand up to a disrespectful house guest?

And the 14-year-old who told her stepfather and his friend that if they touched her she would tell? That they could not silence her?

And the party-goers physically harassed by a drunk guy as they were trying to get home?

Or the young woman who called her mom and said, “I need to leave this apartment and this relationship right now! Can you come get me and my stuff???”

And what about all of those who have found their voice and used it to set boundaries with family members because they are no longer willing to put up with inappropriate behavior?

So, Miss “I-Don’t-Believe-It-Works,” I feel sad for you, and mourn for whatever it was that got you to believe that nothing can be done.

So, Miss “I-Don’t-Believe-It-Works,” I feel sad for you, and mourn for whatever it was that got you to believe that nothing can be done.

I am no longer willing to be silent for the hundreds of thousands of people who live safer, stronger, happier, and more empowered lives because of what we teach.