Blog

When I was thinking of trying to put these stories into some sort of book, these are the words I created for an intro. Two different thoughts but I think appropriate and needed for the world right now. Anyways, this is what I offer.

Resilience Within

I don’t know if I believe in the same God or Gods as you, but I do believe in a God, and I know, without a doubt, this higher power has blessed each of us with all the abilities and grace to survive anything that life can place onto our path. All of us will falter. Some of us may fail, at least in the eyes of humankind, but we are all put onto this Earth for a reason and we come equipped. Not one of us on this Earth knows just how well-equipped we actually are, but we are continually given little glimpses.

All of these stories are true, to the best of my memory. Without a doubt there is some artistic license peppered throughout, but where I could not tell you. To me, these are just moments that happened. I survived, and I got to move on. I am blessed, end of story. But every time I tell these stories to someone else, which is not often (some of these stories have never been told to anyone), they always look at me as though something is a bit unusual. I hope this is true.

I do not share these stories because I think my life has been any more difficult or problematic than others. In fact, I know with certainty there are many in this world who have survived much more in this life than I will ever face. I share these stories to give credit to those in this world who have overcome much more than I will ever know and to give encouragement to those who might now be facing situations they believe are bigger than themselves. There is resilience within. More than we will ever know.

Lastly, I share these stories specifically for the kids in high school and middle school who simply wish to disappear. The kids who hate to open their eyes to the morning sun because it means just one more day of pain and suffering, tears that can come without any warning and a hurting inside themselves that no one on this Earth ever deserves. I was one of these kids. I am still one of these kids. But even with the pain, the uncontrollable tears, and the silent suffering that life will always provide, there are moments. If you are one of these kids, of if you are still one of these kids, the only thing I can promise is that for every moment life tries to bring you down to the deepest depths of despair and hopelessness, there are moments of awe, wonder, and joy that are just as powerful. Just survive, and pay attention, and life rewards us, all of us. These are just moments. Moments from my own life, which I have been blessed to experience.

Inside and Out

I believe in you. I believe in the power and the magicality that is you. I believe that each of us, every individual human being alive in this world right now, possesses a strength greater than we will ever know. I believe in you, because I have experienced me.

As in all things, there is a delicate balance. I share these stories because I believe they exemplify a strength inside of me I did not know I possess, and a strength for which I can not take credit. It is not a strength I have built up or something I have “fostered and developed.” It is something just “there”, inside of me or wherever it resides. It just is.

A strength that has allowed me to overcome some difficult moments. A strength I truly believe each one of us possess. But I also realize this strength inside is not mine alone. It is dependent upon all those who have played a part in my life. Although this strength has not been fostered by me, it certainly has been fostered by others. Ultimately, the true magnitude of my inner strength is wholly dependent upon the strength of the love I feel from others.

I share these stories because I have been blessed in my life. I have always been loved. I realize there are some in this world who have never felt loved, at least not enough, and these individuals might not have any idea how powerful and magical they really are. I share these stories because I believe, I love, and I care about you.