Absolutes

We all have those things we say, don't we? Things that make us feel safe or even superior?

"I will NOT let my children watch more than 30 minutes of TV per day."

"I would NEVER let someone speak to me in that manner!"

"If he ever hit me, even just once, I'd be GONE in a heartbeat."

"If he cheats on me, I'm leaving with the kids and not looking back."

"If my child dies or something bad happened to them, I won't be able to go on."

Just to mention a few.

Then real life happens and you end up in one of those situations and suddenly, you don't know all that you thought you knew. In fact, you know nothing. All you know is that you have to keep breathing and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Maybe you'd make the decision or react the way you thought you would, but most likely you won't.

Your reality changes. The paradigm shifts. The rug gets pulled out from underneath you.

But you know what? You go on. And you make decisions - good or bad. You have 3 kids in 3 years and realize the value of a 45 min Baby Einstein video. Maybe you stay with him because he PROMISES to never hit you again. Perhaps you stay when he cheats on you, because you both agree to counseling. You keep on going because you have 2 other kids and you HAVE to.

You're made of stronger stuff than you think. Don't sell yourself short and don't underestimate yourself. You can make it through the toughest of times.

Don't judge other people and assume you know how YOU would react in their situation because honestly? You don't have a clue. Unless you've stood in the pile of manure they're knee deep in, then keep your thoughts to yourself and assume the person is doing the best they can. Are you judging someone right now, because you would totally handle the same situation better than they are? Because you have some preconceived notion of how things are supposed to be done? Why? Why are you adding to their burden?

Be thankful for what you have. Be thankful for what hasn't happened. Know that no one is exempt and bad things happen to everyone for absolutely no reason at all. But take heart in knowing that you CAN and WILL get through "it". Whatever "it" is, for you.

In the past 10 years I have faced two of the things I feared most in my life. Two of the things that I knew I would handle differently. Two of the things that I absolutely had no doubt would break me in half. And I'm still standing. Oh, I'm barely standing some days LOL - leaning on those that love me for support - but standing nonetheless.

And that's how I'll remain.

Standing.

Until, yk, I have to sit down because my legs are tired.