You Can Do Hard Things
Life is like a revolving door; Each rotation a dichotomy of celebrating new beginnings and mourning the loss of what we are leaving behind.
Children move on, family members age. Careers come and go, as well as dreams.
Haphazardly, we can jump from one life event to the next without allowing ourselves to fully process all that took place. In our social media frenzy, it appears that a selfie and cute quote suffice; but this ritual has created a shallow existence for most.
If we don’t take the time to acknowledge the impact these events have in our life, consequences are sure to follow. At first, these repercussions are easy to suppress; the busyness of volunteering, work deadlines and Netflix binges dull the effects…but when life gets still, the nagging persists.
So, we up the ante. Surrounding ourselves with happy people while sipping on a few cocktails numbs us into temporary giddiness. However, morning will come. And like a roaring wave, so will the aftermath.
Pausing life to sift through the emotions and ripple effects of these happenings will give you a deeper awareness of God’s presence in your life, and fill you with an abundance of grace for those around you.
“Pausing life to sift through the emotions and ripple effects of these happenings will give you a deeper awareness of God’s presence in your life, and fill you with an abundance of grace for those around you. ”
We all process things a bit differently, the important thing is to JUST DO IT.
Here’s what works for me. If you follow this to the end, you will be rewarded with cake or a new pair of shoes 😊
Spend a few hours in solitude, sans technology (It’s emotional poison). For me, nature is where I can quiet my mind and dig into my “Stuff”. Grab a journal, as you may want to scribe any revelations you have.
Grant yourself permission to feel all of the highs and lows. Many times, we have to put on a brave face in the moment, and never take the time to revisit the happenings. NOW is the time and it is uber important for your mental well-being.
Give it to God. All of it. The shame, the hurt, the goodness and glory. If you need to kick and scream, go for it.
When you’re done airing your dirty laundry, just SHUT UP. This is where God does His best work, but we’re usually too busy running our mouths to hear Him.
Pay attention to the rhythm of your thoughts. Is there a theme? What life “lesson” is highlighted? Take note of all of the strength and courage you have built while navigating these new experiences.
When you feel as though you have a good grasp of where you are mentally, spiritually, and physically, pull yourself up by your bootstraps and take yourself to the nearest shopping outlet, bakery or wine bar and CELEBRATE.
Celebrate because you are a bad*ss and you can do hard things.