The Opposite
One of my favorite things to think about when I feel like shit is this:
Because I am scared, the courage in my heart is growing.
Because I am angry, my patience is increasing to infinity.
Because I am full of sorrow, joy is filling me like water overflows into a cup.
Because I hate, boundless love is possible for me, whenever I want it.
Because I am suspicious, trust is available to soothe my burning soul; I must only reach out for it.
Because I am doubtful, pure faith is lighting me from within; I must only strike the match of surrender.
What I've noticed when I look back on my life is that for every adversity, difficulty, challenge and painful event, it was all the catalyst for me to bring the opposite of that into my life. Pain is the touchstone of spirituality, I've heard it said before, and that has become clear to me time and time again. Because of my depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse of Summer 2011, I was sent to my knees, in surrender, to Alcoholics Anonymous, and to my Higher Power (although I didn't know that at the time.) If I hadn't of become so miserable, I might still be in Florida, living up to a quarter of my actual potential. Also now when I see other people in pain, I understand. That's the greatest gift, and it makes my life so much more fulfilling. To understand others and see myself on equal ground with everyone - that is a deep desire of mine, and one that I have the oppurtunity to practice every day.
I wouldn't take back what has happened to me and what I've done for anything. That's something I know not everyone can honestly say.
Nowadays, I laugh with all of my laughter, and I cry with all of my tears. I feel sorrow like a valley in my stomach, and I feel fear like a paralysis in my bones. I feel anger like a fire in my chest, and I feel love like cosmos exploding behind my eyes. I can't run away from the Truth anymore, and because of that I believe I live life to the fullest in the realest sense. Taking responsibility for myself has been the greatest adventure of my life so far, and it has only just begun...
"At 15 life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice." -- Maya Angelou
Because I am scared, the courage in my heart is growing.
Because I am angry, my patience is increasing to infinity.
Because I am full of sorrow, joy is filling me like water overflows into a cup.
Because I hate, boundless love is possible for me, whenever I want it.
Because I am suspicious, trust is available to soothe my burning soul; I must only reach out for it.
Because I am doubtful, pure faith is lighting me from within; I must only strike the match of surrender.
What I've noticed when I look back on my life is that for every adversity, difficulty, challenge and painful event, it was all the catalyst for me to bring the opposite of that into my life. Pain is the touchstone of spirituality, I've heard it said before, and that has become clear to me time and time again. Because of my depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse of Summer 2011, I was sent to my knees, in surrender, to Alcoholics Anonymous, and to my Higher Power (although I didn't know that at the time.) If I hadn't of become so miserable, I might still be in Florida, living up to a quarter of my actual potential. Also now when I see other people in pain, I understand. That's the greatest gift, and it makes my life so much more fulfilling. To understand others and see myself on equal ground with everyone - that is a deep desire of mine, and one that I have the oppurtunity to practice every day.
I wouldn't take back what has happened to me and what I've done for anything. That's something I know not everyone can honestly say.
Nowadays, I laugh with all of my laughter, and I cry with all of my tears. I feel sorrow like a valley in my stomach, and I feel fear like a paralysis in my bones. I feel anger like a fire in my chest, and I feel love like cosmos exploding behind my eyes. I can't run away from the Truth anymore, and because of that I believe I live life to the fullest in the realest sense. Taking responsibility for myself has been the greatest adventure of my life so far, and it has only just begun...
"At 15 life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice." -- Maya Angelou