What has my past given me?

It has been a source of great pain. Out of that, I think that I have learned to have a sincere care about others who are victimized whether it be via the family or other areas of criminal and domestic abuse. When I first got on line and found the ex-member sites, I was very confused. I think I have gained some clarity about what I want. There are many who say "yesterday is gone" go on with life. Well yesterday is not gone,and it never will be, but going on with life IS a good idea. One part of that, for me, is that I want to be supportive of any one any age who wants to leave the family. Another part of going on is to do a few things I might never have thought of doing but that I would enjoy. I don't have any blood family in the group, so I am not connected that way. But I do feel like I lost so much of my life from 18 to 30 yrs. of age. Some say that there must be a pre-existing psychological problem that causes me to look into the family and that part of my life after being out for a long time. Well, I do have a big history of being abused before the family, but I came thru it without any psychiatric diagnoses or personality disorder. My basic problem was a lack of self esteem and a vulnerability for something like the family. Pretty good for what I survived. But AFTER the family, I am now diagnosed with Depression and PTSD. These are common diagnoses for people that have been in the family long term or had even short term with a history of prior trauma. I am not ashamed. There is no reason to be. I believe I survived quite well. It doesn't weaken me.
I look at posting where people are ranting about conspiracies and family like fear propaganda. Or vomiting up bible prophecies of doom and gloom and end time madness. I think I will just pet my dogs today and hug my significant other when she gets off work...
I DESERVE peace of mind and good things in life. I can't do anything about big business, politics, and so on. I am not a politician or a business person. But I can take a few corners in life that I want to and lend a hand.