You Will Rise Again

Unexpected life events. The painful process of reorientation.  And the chance to live an unedited version of ourselves. And create a new life.  

Music by Scott Holmes - A Wee Tipple 
Non Copyright Music 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:08

Hey, wait, hold up. Can we talk? I know you've been through one hell of a time, and I want you to know that I see it. You're not alone. These past few years have taken several unexpected turns, and I've watched how you've held your ground. It has been by no means easy, and the night sky has offered some relief from the fire you've walked through every single day. I've seen the terror within you while you've showed strength without, and the crushing that takes place when signs that stir hope prove to be unreliable. And how could you have known that holding your ground in such personal ways would impact those around you? And yet I've watched you choose others repeatedly. For those who insist on putting forward their own interpretations of your life, you work so hard to see past the accusations and understand their fears. Yes, I agree, they too need room just as much as you do to be fearful and angry inside of relationship. But I also see the words you have within you and how you hold back, knowing that if they are spoken, you're not sure if the relationship is strong enough to endure. You wonder if saying how you saw things or what you experienced just might forever break what little relationship is left. So instead, you carry the weight of them within you. For those whose fear of reliving their past is touched by your present circumstances, you've held back, not wanting to lean on them too much, not wanting to cause any more pain. But I have to say, I don't feel comfortable with how much aloneness has made itself at home in your life. The strength to endure and outlast is admirable. But the thing that gives us the ability to do more than anything else is deep relationships. We are really not meant to live alone. We're not designed to walk through life outside of authentic connection with others. So the fact that you struggle makes complete sense. It's not a sign of weakness, it's just a sign of what you need. And I'm betting everything I am that what you need will come for you. I've seen how at times when you've attempted to put your voice to what you feel, to how you see things, you've hesitated as that loaded adjective used to describe your speech hovered right in front of you, suggesting that what drove your voice, your words, was nothing good, causing you to doubt what was within. And so you shut it all down, watching those green lights on your board fade as tears fell. The struggle to put your pen to paper, your fingers to the keys, and your mouth to the mic is real. You've often tried to edit at the same time you are attempting to create, to speak and write. But as you well know, we cannot truly create and edit at the same time. You know that when attempting to create, you have to hush the editor within that fears specific outcomes and wants to control things from the start. It's already judging what's been created out of fear of how it might be received or what the reaction might be. And we often live that way too, don't we? Always playing small, affecting each aspect of our lives. Your creative work hasn't been the only thing that's been edited, you know. You've also edited your interactions with others. You've held back, unsure of how these unexpected turns in your life affect where you belong. And while I understand much of that was needed, I also want you to be aware of how alone that leaves you, because you know you don't do well without people, not without good people, authentic people, hilariously funny people, big story people. No, you must belong to your kind of people again. I know you feel disoriented. So much has changed. Too many of the what's and the who's you relied on, or used as a reference point when taking one step after another, are no longer available. But don't worry, reorientation takes time, and some of the most important reference points lie within. I'll help you tap into the reservoir of strength and wisdom and endurance that has already been built within you. I believe the types of relationships you need will be more common in your life. But until then, that reservoir within will last as long as you need it. It will last long enough to see you smile and laugh again. Don't give up, but it's okay to surrender. It's not all on you. Don't lash out, but it's okay to show what's in your heart. There are people who can handle it. Don't edit. It's okay to not get it right. You know the relief that comes from practicing courage and exercising your voice. You know the love you feel when others engage, and they will sometime. You've tasted the freedom you feel when you live and love wide open. As much as you dare, don't edit your life. Don't make changes to who you are for others. That has cost you dearly. Don't do it again. That's how you find the people who truly know how to love or want to learn how. And when things fall apart, it will be okay. And when you mess up, the people who value real over an edited version won't leave. You will recover, you will rise again.