Sunday, March 9, 2014

It's Complicated

Life is an unrelenting adventure.

  While navigating this mortal journey, I have gained a healthy respect for the task of simultaneously dealing with everything life is capable of throwing at a person. Along the way, my own experiences have taught me that it's important to...

Physically:

Learn to live with overwhelming pain that wont go away no matter what you do.
and
Be strong. Be brave. Commit yourself to patiently enduring the hand you are dealt.
and
Stay focused. Try not to let the fear of pain dominate you.
and
Be responsible, don't make things worse than they have to be.

Emotionally:

Handle being more exhausted than you previously thought possible, without being grumpy.
and
Continuously attacked by an invisible enemy, try not to focus on feeling beat up and broken.
and
Remain resilient. Try not to curl up in fetal position and cry when it hurts just being alive.
and
Resist becoming jaded and bitter because of how hardship has affected your life.
and
Don't let your problems define you. Love yourself and make the most of your situation.
and
Let your trials teach you empathy for the suffering of others. Do your best to be sincerely compassionate and kind, despite your pain.

Mentally:

Don't let the constant irritation from your physical and emotional trials affect your attitude.
and
Be able to focus on what is in front of you. Don't shut down or get lost in your struggles.
and
Don't indulge thoughts centered in self pity or bitterness.
and
Make a conscious choice to learn from your journey each day.
and
Take one day at a time, and stay positive. Remember there is always something to be grateful for.
and
Don't beat your head against a wall, be willing to redefine your concept of success!
and
Let go of your pride. Humble yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
and
Be considerate of those around you, remember they get tired too.
and
Be patient, everyone has their own battles they are fighting.

Life is a journey of joy, pain, and most importantly: growth.

  So anyway- if you identify with any of the above, I humbly offer you my sympathy and encouragement. In addition to being kind to others, don't forget to be kind to yourself!

  As for me, this list is very much a work in progress. I look forward to learning anything I can each day, because let's face it: life can be really complicated sometimes.

3 comments:

  1. Love the line " Life is a journey of joy, pain, and most importantly: growth"
    :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love you! You have such a way with words. And with sharing your pain and trial with those who choose to read. You do it is a way that never comes off as whining (that word looks stupid no matter how I spell it...) and you tend to say some of the things that could have just as easily come out of my mouth, if I was gifted with such eloquence. I am so proud of who you have become, and as much as I wish your life was easier I am so glad that you have been able to keep the proper perspectives, regardless of how impossible it must seem at times. You are an inspiration. I thank you for sharing this part of yourself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jori, thank you so much! Your kind words mean a great deal to me. :)

      The decision to share my experiences (especially the painful ones) is driven by empathy. To be human and mortal is to experience adversity, and feeling alone in that hardship is the worst. So my hope in sharing is not to complain, but to *connect*. I know what it's like to feel isolated, to feel broken, and to lose hope. I know what a huge difference it has made in my life any time someone cared enough to help me believe again, to remind me that I am not alone, or take the time to share something with me that will empower me to build a better life.

      So if I can pass on anything that someone might find useful, or help even one person to not feel so alone... then I am happy to set my own vulnerability aside and take that step together... even if we never actually meet face to face.

      Delete