2020 is here and let’s just say I couldn’t be happier. I would love to say the last 10 years I’ve made all my dreams come true and my life is full of accomplishments. The truth is I spent most of the early morning hours of New Year’s Day feeling sorry for myself, trying to come up with what the heck I’ve done the last decade. It wasn’t until late morning I realized I was basing my self-worth on the accomplishments of people that inspire me. I refocused and started looking at what I’ve come from and began to feel some pride. We all have trauma that hits at some point in our life. I’ve had my share of it from rejection, abandonment, physical and emotional abuse and plenty of heartbreak. I put an expectation of where I want to be instead of realizing where I’ve come from. I’m a survivor! I don’t own a multi-million-dollar company, I haven’t written a number one seller…or any book at all actually…and I haven’t become the best marketing guru in the crafting industry. But I have chosen to love, even when my heart was broken. I’ve smiled when my soul was drowning. I never lost faith even when I felt alone. Surviving is a huge accomplishment that is overlooked. I might have had some pretty low days but I made it through them!
We get so caught up in success and what that means in our society. Success is judged on the perfect family (ok, we should all finally realize the only perfect family lives on Facebook), a beautiful house, the trendiest vehicle or a thriving business. All of these things can be seen, but no-one can see the strength of someone trying to learn to love again after being broken into a million pieces. No-one can see the pain hidden behind the smile of someone who lost a loved one. No-one can see the struggle behind someone fighting every day against physical illness, addiction, anxiety, depression, or any other form of personal struggle. Continuing to fight with every ounce of breadth in us, continuing to step forward with every push back, continuing to show kindness when we’ve become everyone’s collateral damage…that is survival, and it’s something we should all feel proud about!
