Tina Turner found the emotional strength to forgive her abusive ex-husband, Ike, as revealed in her memoir.
In excerpts from the book Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good published in AARP The Magazine, the pop legend draws from her Buddhist faith. She says, "I like to say that I changed poison into medicine and transformed the difficulties in my life to realize my dreams. Power in forgiveness."
Tina says, "I forgave my former husband, Ike Turner for years of domestic violence — black eyes, busted lips, broken bones and psychological torture." At a low point, "I was so despondent, I swallowed 50 sleeping pills in a suicide attempt. But I had to make peace with my past, and forgiveness sets us free. I believe in karma, in cause and effect, so forgiving people for the wrongs they’ve committed is not the same as excusing their actions."
"Sometimes when we go through such difficult experiences, it can feel like we’re in a never-ending winter and that spring will never come. But the greatest gifts of wisdom are often found within such challenges." A survivor of cancer and stroke, Tina now has "a heightened appreciation of everyday life and feel[s] more deeply how precious our time on Earth is. I want to keep encouraging as many people as I can to cherish their lives. If I can help even one more person to become happy, then I’ve succeeded."
Tina concluded with, "Laughter is like music. It lifts your spirits." While retired from performing, Tina does "other things and think[s] any creative endeavor helps to nourish your soul, whether it’s reading, writing, painting, singing, gardening, volunteering or even caring for pets or loved ones. Anything that requires your heartfelt focus is creative energy."
[courtesy of Classic Hits Today]