I wrote this in 2004 after undergoing multiple life threatening surgeries/complications, searching for a diagnosis and proper healthcare after being struck down with what I now know is reflex sympathetic dystrophy. My first marriage collapsed, I was losing everything materialistic. I was on food stamps, and I was lost physically, mentally and spiritually. I sent this to my family members after my inner voice reminded me of why I am here and that my purpose was to be a cheerleader of hope. In January 2015, my gramma passed away and I went to her house. The first thing my sister picked up when she walked in was a notebook. This email was printed out and right on top. I know that this meant a lot to my family when I wrote this and to my Gramma.
AFTER THIS WHAT COMES NEXT? MARCH 12, 2004
As a child, you think whatever situation you are in will last forever. If you are having a good day this is great. When you have a bad day it is as if the world will end. You have no hope, no way out and all of the options seem unreachable.
One way to tell you have grown up and become an adult; is when situations become temporary, solutions become options, there is clarity in thinking and nothing is unreachable.
Ove the past 30 plus years of my life there has been greatness, pain, sorrow, suffering, joy and exhilaration. Until recently, as I was a child for far too long, there was no important reason for life. Life just was. The lows have brought me lower and the highs did not seem like much of an accomplishment. I have heard that the person you are shows best in the face of adversity, actually the person you are shows all of the time.
When things are hard for you it is temporary. The best thing for me is to look at all of my options. Dream big but also bold. You might find an answer this way. See, the best solution may be something you do not think you want. You might struggle through the situation making life harder on yourself. Embrace life and use your inner voice as a guide. Remember in these hardest times you are growing and changing. Change takes time so your lows may seem longer than reality and the best thing to do is let go of your stress, anxiety and discomfort. Give it to God. He has you going to a predestined outcome even if it is not what you wanted. There is a plan and purposed for all of us. God sets this for us before we are conceived. How we accept it and embrace it will depend on your freedom of choices.
God gave us freedom to follow the plan he set the way we want. The outcome will be the same – because there is a plan. This plan is known by your spirit. Listen to that voice inside. Freedom gives you the choice to take the path you want. One maybe longer and the other harder but the outcome is the same. The long path will be the easy one. The short will be the tough but it ends quicker. Embrace life and be comfortable with your choices. Look and listen past your ego’s reaction and embrace each situation whether you feel it is positive or negative, it is happening for a reason.
When things are great for you, what do you do with the joy? Do you keep it for yourself? Do you share it with those you know? What about those you don’t know? I have found that when you share your gifts with others you get tenfold in return. It is not about money I am speaking. Although money does help as a temporary fix. What I am getting at is when things are good for you and you observe in someone that they need attention let them know that you know. Tell a stranger things are okay. Tomorrow will come and it will be a better day. That you do care and that God has blessed them. Let them know you will have them in your prayers and then follow through. Really say a prayer for their well-being.
Life is about embracing God’s plan, helping others, following to your best abilities the code of the Bible, and knowing you have greatness in you! Growing up is hard to do. There are different levels and turns in everyone’s lives. As you reach adulthood you may fight it as I did. It can be a bumpy transition. It brings with it a peach. Clarity acceptance of self and focus. These gifts will help you guide others to this special point in life. Remember to be the person who honors your gifts, shares them and embraces them – even through the anxiety of life.