I thought hard things happened to other people; people outside of my circle, distant from my life. For my first 30 years or so, that was true. Hard and sad things happened, but they didn’t deeply affect my close circle of family or friends. I empathized as best I could, but I didn’t get it.
Then it was my turn.
In a swift and dizzying series of events, my marriage and life fell apart in 48 hours. Almost everything I knew changed. I felt scared, confused, alone, and deeply hurt. I felt hopeless. My life didn’t feel hard, it felt insurmountable.
I had nothing but questions. What do I do? Can I run from this? What would numb this pain? Where will we live? Where should I work? What am I good at? Who am I? How am I going to raise these kids? What do the kids need? How do I go on? Is this life worth living? Will I ever be happy again?
I needed help. I searched for answers. I wanted someone to tell me what to do. Someone to fix it, to fix me. I looked online, I took a few courses, I consulted friends, both old and new. I gathered others’ experiences and stories, failures and successes. People encouraged me, counseled me, and loved me. Over time, little by little, it became clearer.
I did not have the “one right answer.” It did not exist. I could not be fixed. Neither could my life.
What I did have was a choice. One choice after another. Small choices, seemingly insignificant, but collectively course altering. They are choices we all have. Choices that had been there all along. I could choose to stay mad, stay stuck, and stay hopeless. Or I could take my giant mess and choose to look at the opportunities before me. Opportunities to ask hard questions, to own who I am and how I got here, to grow, to find my joy, to change my course, to rebuild my family, to live my life in a more whole, healthy, authentic way.
It was up to me to decide. My voice, my preferences, my values, my talents; it all mattered. Over time, one step at a time, I realized I could do it. That changed everything.
I started this blog 2 years ago when I learned of another woman going through a difficult time like mine. I felt compelled to say to her, “I see you, things are hard, I get it, you can do this. I too have had hard stuff happen, and I am still okay. You will be okay too. You have a choice, this could be great.”
This is why I write. I have had so many wonderful people encourage me. They have told me that they hear my voice, and they believe in it. They have shown me options and waited patiently while I wrestled with my ability to choose them. They have seen things in me that I can’t always see in myself, and keep reminding me when the mirror gets foggy. They stand in the gap when my courage wanes. I want to stand in the gap for others. I am willing to share the messy, painful truth of my own journey. Not the glossed over version. In doing so, I can encourage and empower others. I’m going to remind you that life is amazing, mysterious, and challenging. You have it in you. You can do it too; believe that there is more. More risk, heartache, joy, freedom, beauty, depth…all of it. It is worth it.
Not despite the hard things, but because of them. Choose it.
It is good to hear from you. I love your courage and your voice. I hear you. Keep inspiring us.
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Thank you! I always appreciate your kind words.
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You’re awesome Dana! Keep writing….it is your gift!
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Thanks for your love and support friend! (and your ideas!! :))
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I am so encouraged by your sharing your journey. I am on a very similar one myself. Love reading from like-minded women. Thanks for sharing!
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April, I am sorry to hear that, but I am glad that we can encourage each other. It can be a lonely road. I hope you get some ideas or encouragement that really help! Take good care.
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Hi Dana. I was glad to see your new blog post. You are so insightful. My dad left my mom when I was in lower elementary
w-a-y back when. At the time, only one of my friends out of a class of 100+ came from a home where the parents were divorced. My mom took it hard and took the blame upon herself. I wish I had your words back then to show her, both today’s post and the one to Anna so she would know she wasn’t alone. You are so insightful and can articulate your feelings so well. I keep your thoughts to share with others finding themselves confronted with the challenges of divorce. Thank you.
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Hi Barb,
I’m sorry to hear that your family went through divorce. I can’t imagine the loneliness and shame that you and your mom felt. I’m glad that things are somewhat different now. Thank you for your words of encouragement!
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Hello Dana,
I must say wonderful and honest post. What does not kill you makes you stronger,right. I also believe in choices . Our every day is our choice. Also happiness is our choice, because happiness is one great habit,right. Thank you
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