Powerful Beyond Measure
Empowering Ourselves. Protecting our Communities.
Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is
worth living and your belief will create the fact.
- William James
About Us
At Powerful Beyond Measure, we believe that abuse shatters self-worth and confines the survivor into a small way of being in the world. We want to help remove the shackles of abuse as the survivor empower herself/himself and learns how to stand more fully in her/his life. We believe:
- You deserve a life free from abuse and its devastating aftermath.
- Self-worth is the foundation of a thriving life.
- There is no "right" way to heal. Every healing journey is as unique as each individual.
- It's not your fault you have to learn how to take care of yourself or learn other life skills as an adult.
- No matter what "mistakes" you've made in the wake of your abuse you deserve to live a passionate, joyous life.
- Having fun is an important part of life.
- Survivors need to celebrate their healing, their strength and themselves.
- Peace, happiness, strength and confidence are developed by nurturing these qualities in ourselves and others.
- You are a unique individual. In the history of the world, there has never been anyone just like you, nor will there ever be anyone just like you.
- You have unique gifts and talents to offer the world. No one else can do what you do. No one else can take your place in the universe.
- There is nothing that anyone (including yourself) can say or do to you that changes the essence of who you are. Whether you call this essence your light, your soul, your spirit, or something else, it is never changed. It may be in hiding during a self-destructive phase of your life, but it cannot be damaged.
- You are an innocent, gifted child whose greatness is immeasurable.
Our Mission is to:
- Empower survivors of rape, child abuse and domestic violence.
- Protect children from ever becoming survivors.
- Create a community of purposeful individuals who work to change attitudes about rape, child abuse and domestic violence in the media, the law and the country.
My name is Cosima Zehring and I am the founder of Powerful Beyond Measure. At age 10, I was raped by my brother several times over the course of the summer. The following year, my father's girlfriend's son (who later become my step-brother) raped me. My teenage years were filled with verbal and physical abuse at the hands of my new step-brother. I finally left for college and thought the fear and pain were over. Unfortunately, they were not. By age 22, I was so overwhelmed by my fears of having to see or talk to my abusers again that I started therapy.
I ended up seeing three therapists, reading hundreds of books and surfing for hours on the internet. I struggled for eight years, through a bad marriage, several verbally abusive relationships and even abusive work environments before I really decided that I deserved more. I realized I was still looking to other people to tell me that I was worthy. I was still allowing others to define me. I could see that no one was going to give me self-worth, it was something I gave myself. I was a bit coltish and awkward at first, but I quickly grew comfortable in my new wisdom. It was the most empowering thing I've ever done. Now at age 33, I have a life that I enjoy, where I feel strong and respected by everyone I allow in my life.
In February 2004, I started an informational website for other survivors of sexual abuse. It got some traffic and interest, but I still wanted to do more. I wanted to protect children from ever being abused and give survivors a way to feel empowered. I brainstormed on ways to do both within the realms of the law and the National Predator Database was born. Powerful Beyond Measure is a combination of my desire to help empower survivors and to protect children from every becoming a survivor. As of now, the organization is myself, my mother and input from friends, but we hope to grow to an organization that employs several full-time people soon. We have many exciting growth ideas planned for the future, so please keep tabs on us!
Founder Cosima Zehring, age 10, age at first rape
Copyright © 2006 Powerful Beyond Measure. All rights reserved.