More Growing and Healing

[COG]

Evel Knievel was cool. As a kid, I watched every televised jump he made. He was big stuff back then. My he rest in peace.

"For every adversity there is an equivalent seed of benefit," he wrote. "You only have to look for it. Chase your dreams and get up if you fail."

Amen to that. I have personally overcome some pretty major personal challenges just because I never gave up. When I got my ass kicked, dusty, bloody, I always got back up. Dusted off, and kept moving forward. My pride could have convinced me it wasn't worth it, my friends who didn't want me to suffer any more encouraging me to quit, but deep down inside there's a faith that anything is possible to those who are persistent and believe it can happen.

I was least likely to go to college, but I made it through because I wanted to. Not because I was smart, or brave, or whatever, but just because I wanted to.

I've been through enough challenges to know that when you want something bad enough, you don't ever give up no matter how bad it gets. One tiny ray of hope is all that's necessary. A little hope, and a lot of heart. Four years my W and I were separated, four long friggen years. I was told by two different C's, and a priest that basically there was no hope, that it would take a miracle to save my M. Screw them all! I knew there was a chance, albeit a very slight chance to save it, and there was one sure thing. If I wasn't in the game, it would be impossible for me to win.

So I stayed in there, another day, another week, another month, another year. Like a fisherman, I kept changing baits, kept making casts, being vulnerable. I lost many lures in the trees, broke my line many times, but eventually I waited just long enough to catch the prize.

Being vulnerable is not very popular in today's world. It's all about us, what's in it for me, I want it and I want it NOW! Plus our society is a big popularity contest. So, it's not very acceptable to be yourself. We're constantly being pressured to look, act, and speak like the "cool" gang. The nice cars, fancy houses, clothes, etc., it's all shallow, and unfulfilling. Fulfillment comes in knowing we are beautiful just the way God made us. We are not perfect, we make mistakes, hurt the ones we love, etc., but there's no one of us that is perfect. Don't forget the mistakes, but forgive, move on, and never give up.

God Bless,

COG