Is there anything good or pleasant when the unthinkable or unimaginable happens? Where's the beauty in the pain? Where's the peace in the rain? Where's the light in the dark?
These are all contrasting ideas, but truly some how in the terrible there can be good. In all my tears, which have been so many over the years, and in all my life stuff, I have seen the good in the bad. Somehow in my tearful moments, I've had a bit of freedom in allowing myself to unload, contentment, and relief from letting it all out and not holding it inside after extremely hard times. How can this be so? How can we exist in the duality of both of these during hard times? How do we accept both and not be in denial of the other?
When the bad happens, I think it's in existing and wrestling in both places that helps us grow. It's figuring out how to glean the good from the bad. It's figuring out how to find the beauty in the pain. It's figuring out how to learn from hard times. It's figuring out how to look both ways to determine our next steps. It's figuring out how to get the best out of ourselves when the worst happens.
It's figuring out what we need most in the tragedies of life and listening to ourselves maybe more than we have been in these moments. It's becoming more aware of what truly is important, valuable and that brings you the greatest joy. It's taking some time to reflect to hear those innermost thoughts, to hear those grumblings and the reason behind those, to hear the fears that are stuck inside that you never talk about with anyone, it's about hearing those desires and wants that have never been spoken, and it's about getting to the core of yourself outside of anyone else.
It's about you and your solitude. It's about that inner peace. It's about finding that inner joy that no one else can give you. It's about finding yourself at the center of it all. It's about knowing confidently who you are on the inside outside of work, friends, your spouse, your relationship, your kids, your dreams, and your hobbies.
It's about finding you in the middle of it all. Where are you? Who are you? What do you need? What do you want? What do you desire? What makes you happy? What makes you unhappy? What makes you comfortable? What makes you uncomfortable? What are your honest and true feelings at the moment? What is important to you? What is pulling you away from yourself and all you want for your life? What makes you thrive? What brings you joy down on the inside? What are your dreams and aspirations?
It's in answering some of these questions that may help you see that there is so much more inside of you than you thought even in the worst of times. Going within and finding the answers to these and other questions that you may think of is so important. It helps us to stand tall inside of ourselves because we are not afraid of the answers that we may find in the introspection, but we bask in knowing the truth about what we want and need in these moments.
I share this because I find that hard times have pressed me so much and the worst of times have left me shuddering at times, but I have had to look up at some point and find the beauty in what's still right in front of me. The ability for me to move on through some of my hardest times has been from me doing everything that I just mentioned above. Additionally, my strong desire to get to the other side with no regrets, bitterness, lingering anger or frustration, or resentment, but acceptance, joy, solutions and momentum to drive my life forward.
Center yourself. Figure it out. Exist in the middle of both when it happens. Don't be afraid of it.
Sit in it and figure out what's best for you. You deserve to be able to find the diamond in the rough times.
You are that diamond pressed out from so much happening to you in this season, but in that diamond lies beauty. That's you. Lets see it everyday so others can find their beauty from your motivation. When they see you shining, they can be inspired to find their diamond inside themselves too.
Can you do that? It's so important to find yourself amongst the hard stuff.
If I can do it, then so can you!
