Break free... A story of Suraya Stilo

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Today, my story is real. Real names. Real lessons.
It is not something I made up. It is inspired by life. The reality of life. It is a story that speaks of weakness, but also one that speaks of triumph and strength. This is how the story goes…
Suraya Stilo was like any normal 19 year old girl growing up. Normal is relative, but there was nothing out of the ordinary that anyone had to worry about. Like many other young people though, she experimented with a few things. Out of curiosity. Who knows? But she experimented anyway. And like any other young person, she started out doing what everyone else was. She started smoking the hooka pipe, or hubbly as it is more commonly referred to. This was filled with flavoured tobacco, as it usually is, but as time went on, marijuana was added to it. This was more of a thrill and did more to her than the ordinary tobacco. It excited her. But soon, its effects would wear off too.
She soon moved on to something that would have a greater impact on her. This was in the form of pills, ‘mandrugs’, ‘rocks’ as it is known on the streets. This is what she found herself using and this is what consumed her. She would walk to town alone at 1am in order to get her next fix. She did not worry about who would harm her. All she was focused on was her next fix. There was one thing that struck me though, when people asked her why she was walking alone at that time of the night, she would tell them she was not alone. God was by her side. So, despite all the things she was caught up in and the unpleasant reality of her current circumstances, she believed He was there, looking out for her, protecting her. It would only be a matter of time before He saved her.
She tells me she remembers the things people used to say to her or about her. They said cruel and hurtful things, but at the time, it did not faze her. I guess that is what drugs do to a person. It makes you immune to the insults. It makes you nonchalant. It makes you feel nothing. For as long as you’re taking it. For as long as you are dependent on it.
There comes a time though, when you realize your actions are not helping anyone. They are nothing but selfish and inconsiderate. And we all have our drug. Suraya had her drug of choice. Ours might not be the same, but we have our drugs too. It could be greed, envy, hate, anger. It could be anything. It consumes us and we find ourselves caught up in things we should not be caught up in. We allow it to control us and our lives. We allow it to push away the ones we love. We allow it to destroy that which we hold dear. If we are lucky, we open our eyes, or our eyes are opened for us.
Suraya’s eyes were opened, more than 6 years later. The Lord helped her open her eyes and see what she was doing to herself and to others. He helped her break free from the chains that were holding her captive. He helped her cleanse herself from that which had tainted her.  Today, she is a 27 year old woman who is free from drugs. She is brave. She is beautiful. She is an example. She told me she is not shy to tell her story if it means she will be able to help others. And I know for a fact that her bravery will help many young people who are going through similar situations. This is not an easy story to tell, but she has allowed me to tell it and for that I am grateful.
Today, I am inspired by a woman who has been through hard times. Today I am inspired by a woman who is not afraid to tell her story, however painful it might be. Today, I am inspired by a woman who is courageous enough to say ‘I have made mistakes, but I am still standing’. Thank you Suraya Stilo for sharing your story with me and all those who care to listen.
We all have our drug of choice. It consumes us and destroys the things we hold dear to us. It is never too late to change though. It is never too late to take back ownership of our lives and steer it in the direction we want to go. It is never too late to cleanse ourselves from that which has tainted us.
Suraya did it. You can too. Break free.

Take Care

Miss Stone

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