The Stories and Acts of Life

{via}

It feels like I’ve been staring at the computer screen for hours. I mentally debated over what to post about today – what I did last weekend, something funny, etc. As the time ticked on, I turned more and more ideas down. Maybe this post isn’t really going to make much sense, maybe it will resonate with even just one person who reads this.

There have been so many thoughts on my mind as of late, obviously. Some days I wonder when this period of my life will be over – when will my mind just be clear of it all, when will the dark circles that miraculously appeared under my eyes disappear, when will the next chapter begin?

But, then I think about the stories in a book; the acts in a play. When the next chapter or scene begins, not everything prior has abruptly ended, has it? Act Two begins with stories and events from Act One trickling down and eventually coming to an end while new characters are introduced and new events unfold. I’m realizing this about life too as I continue to find things to laugh about, see the beauty in everyday life, learn, and make new friends and memories.

“It’s a process.”
That’s what I say to myself and to my friends when they ask how I’m doing.

It’s been oddly comforting to instantly bond with someone who’s been through a similar situation, to have friends ask me 101 questions because they’ve never been through anything remotely similar and are curious, and also to watch heartbreaking movies like Blue Valentine. Yes, it’s a sad movie but, guess what. My life is not a friggin’ fairytale. Not all stories are happy go-lucky. Real life can be tragic and ugly and it can hurt.

But, all sad stories have the chance to be turned around into something positive in the next chapter or perhaps in the sequel.

I’ve never really considered myself to be an optimist. In fact, I’ve seen how being overly positive can act as a shield; a disguise and can, in turn, destroy something. The trick is to find a balance. Take a bad situation and really feel the pain, the hurt, the sadness – whatever it is - really feel it, accept it, and then learn from it. Find a way to make it change your life for the better.

I’ve taken the time to let myself feel it to the point where some days I could hardly eat, some nights I could barely sleep, and Kleenex boxes wound up empty. But, I’ll tell you one thing – each and every day that passed by, I got out of bed, I got ready, I faced the world, and I found something to be grateful for and to learn from. Some days {like yesterday} are more monumental than others, but each day is a stepping stone.

I made the decision to live a life of happiness and prosperity and growth.

The chapters in my book are still being written. I see how, as one page is turned, new stories are being created as old ones fade out. My focus is to keep writing, keep creating, keep becoming.

--

I know there are women {and men} all over the world who also feel “stuck between chapters” of their lives during times of hurt and heartbreak. Whether you’ve been following my blog, or just stumbled across it today, know I’m just an email away if you ever need a shoulder to lean on :)