Today I am thankful for my story….
There was a time when I was Negative Nellie, looking at my past and not liking myself very much. I’m sure I am not alone, right? My story is a bit messy – addiction, relapse, recovery, and a whole lot in between but it is the story which made me the person I am today. There are days when I don’t like the way I look or sit on the “pity pot” because of circumstances BUT for today, I am grateful for all of these things. I am even learning to like myself, a little bit at a time.
I recently re-read a blog post by LYSA TERKEURST entitled “Learn to Love Your Story“. It is helping me to change my perspective every day but especially on those days when Negative Nellie comes for a visit.
She talks about loving your story – your life – being content in the moment and enjoying it! WOW! This week has been an emotional roller coaster and I am not sure I even know why. No major fiascos, no crisis – just little hiccups which quickly sent me on a road less traveled (okay so maybe it is traveled a little bit more than I want it to be).
It is strange but I can almost tell when I wake up, if I am going to love my story day. Crazy, right? Hubby always ask for a warning or a text alert message. Thankfully, I am starting to share how I feel without getting snarky. On those days I STOP, take a breathe and regroup. Praising and thanking God for my life… my story. See I forget sometimes. My life may not be a story book or full of lots of happy endings but it is MY story. It is the life he gave to me.
Hubby and I were talking the other day about just this thing. We were reminiscing about days gone by. I have no regrets nor does he because it is because of those things we are blessed to be in each other’s lives today. We had our struggles. We had our heartache. We had our joys. Life wasn’t perfect but we got through it to get us where we are today. The struggles still come but now we try to look at the differently – together. I’m learning this time around in recovery, marriage is a joint effort and I don’t have to carry things all on my own.
Lysa talked about “pre-deciding” to LOVE her story. NOTE to self: change my point of reference BEFORE the day begins. Stop thinking about the “what if” and “predicting” what may happen in any given situation.
I decided I would look at it all through the lens of noticing the rich evidence of life through each mess and mishap.
Did I do it all perfectly? Nope, not at all.
But even if we choose to be noticers with thankful hearts just once today, we’ll start to look at our stories in a different way.
A more beautiful way.
So I whispered, “Notice. Be a noticer. See all the fun represented here and thank God for these moments.” Noticers see the lovely in front of them and learn to love their story.
What might happen if you pre-determined to look through the lens of lovely today?
Thank you Lysa for reminding me to look through the “lens of lovely” today.
Hope Wissel 