Ruminations sometimes lead to revelations! As I read this post, Linda, I put myself in your place and easily remembered the horror show that was my life and to which I subjected others in my life.
“I am no longer there, and for that I am so very grateful.” Your closing line captures the essence of recovery. While that could be shouted from the rooftops xxxxxxxxxxxxx posted on social media, my time in recovery suggests the most effective nudge toward recovery comes from that small voice in our heart, our heads, that points the way.
I’m so grateful we crossed paths so I can read your excellent essays on living and growing. A song title just came to mind: Don’t Stop Believin’, by Journey. Not the lyrics, just that title and the fact of being on a journey.
Don't Stop Believin' is one of my favourite songs. When it plays over the loudspeaker at a race or just about anywhere, I am in a puddle. Thank you for sharing your perspective and I am grateful too that our paths have crossed here.
"applying the emotional anesthetic", very well put. For me, processing the big stuff includes not just the emotional work but also accepting that I don't have control, that I have made mistakes, and that I might still end up in a similar situation. Better to "take my (emotional anesthetic) medicine" and see if I can get a different outcome out of the same inputs, I would say.
Ultimately, doing the work helps me feel like I have agency. I don't know if I'll ever get better at it but I remind myself that's not the point.
We all have different approaches. That's the best part of living. Finding our own way. If it becomes a light for others to also seek their best path, sobeit. Thank you for being here.
I relate so much to this, Linda. Thank you for the gift of bringing some of my thoughts back to me to ponder - lots to think about here!
So appreciate you Rebecca.
“Never fully seeing the cost of their hatred… of me.” That is blinding insight. Thank you for being courageous enough to share this.
Thank you Cindy, I appreciate you highlighting this part of my writing. I hope it helps someone.
Ruminations sometimes lead to revelations! As I read this post, Linda, I put myself in your place and easily remembered the horror show that was my life and to which I subjected others in my life.
“I am no longer there, and for that I am so very grateful.” Your closing line captures the essence of recovery. While that could be shouted from the rooftops xxxxxxxxxxxxx posted on social media, my time in recovery suggests the most effective nudge toward recovery comes from that small voice in our heart, our heads, that points the way.
I’m so grateful we crossed paths so I can read your excellent essays on living and growing. A song title just came to mind: Don’t Stop Believin’, by Journey. Not the lyrics, just that title and the fact of being on a journey.
Don't Stop Believin' is one of my favourite songs. When it plays over the loudspeaker at a race or just about anywhere, I am in a puddle. Thank you for sharing your perspective and I am grateful too that our paths have crossed here.
"applying the emotional anesthetic", very well put. For me, processing the big stuff includes not just the emotional work but also accepting that I don't have control, that I have made mistakes, and that I might still end up in a similar situation. Better to "take my (emotional anesthetic) medicine" and see if I can get a different outcome out of the same inputs, I would say.
Ultimately, doing the work helps me feel like I have agency. I don't know if I'll ever get better at it but I remind myself that's not the point.
We all have different approaches. That's the best part of living. Finding our own way. If it becomes a light for others to also seek their best path, sobeit. Thank you for being here.
Brilliant, beautiful, and poignant. Thank you, Linda!