If you feel defeated or have ever felt like it, know you are not alone!
Since March when COVID became our way of life, I’ve seen many posts about people who feel like their whole life is falling apart. I will admit, I had those fleeting moments too. You know the feeling when it seems like no matter how hard you try, you aren’t able to do anything about it. We want to fix, manage and control things. The very people you thought would stand beside you forever turned and walked away. Those days when the waves of hopelessness flooded your heart and clouded your mind, inching you closer and closer to simply giving up. The mere thought of facing one more day filled your heart with pain, fear and too much uncertainty to manage. Who has been there? Maybe not during COVID but at other times in your life….
As a recovering addict who battles with MS, I will admit those days still happen. I want you to know you are not alone. There are others who have already been there.
People who know me, know I’m not a quitter…I never have been. I usual face things with the confidence I will overcome and things will get better. Honestly, there have been times when I’ve felt like giving up and waving the white flag of defeat. I’m not immune to having the feelings of being overwhelmed, weak and uncertain. I have tried to do things my way only to find out I created more of a mess. Those days when MS kicks my butt with brain fog, confusion and aching throughout my body. Or the days when I feel as if I’m not “enough” – frustrated with my weight loss efforts and life in general. I struggle with admitting I’m powerless. I struggle with wanting things my way.
Recently, I saw a post about Emperor Tamerlane who was badly defeated in battle. He ran from the battle and hid in a barn. Enemy troops searched the countryside for him. By this time he was depressed, his troops had been terribly defeated and scattered, and he didn’t know what he was going to do.
It was then he noticed an ant trying to push a giant kernel of corn up over a stone wall. As he watched this ant attempt to do the impossible, he counted its futile efforts to see how many times the ant would try until it gave up.
One, two, three… twenty… forty… sixty-nine times the ant tried and failed to push the kernel over the wall. But in one last push, on the seventieth try, the ant made it. Leaping to his feet, Tamerlane excitedly said to the ant, “If you can do it, then so can I.” That day he changed his outlook, reorganized his forces, went back and defeated the enemy.
This story reminded me of the “Little Engine that Could” book I was given my first time in recovery by a friend who was also my boss at the time. It was this book which helped to remind me on a daily basis things would get better. Life did get better and then I thought I had things under control. BIG mistake…..I know I squirreled but I do when I am writing (or talking, LOL).
I know you have probably heard it a million times but you can do it too! On the outside, people don’t understand every day living with MS is a struggle for me. On the outside things look easy but on the inside I am attempting the impossible – searching for memories, struggling to find the right words, and trying to carry on conversations. Add my character defects (yup, I have them) linked to being a recovering addict and you have a “hot mess”. just like the ant I failed more than once…but I don’t quit.
I push, get exhausted, try some more, fail, rest, but still get up and try again. I admit I am powerless in trying to fix, manage and control things. I push through weakness, dizziness, muscle spasms, and a lack of sleep. I push through going to meetings because I need to know I am not alone. I push through feelings of comparison when it comes to my business. I push and keep on pushing at everything I do. There are days when even a simple trip to the mailbox is a struggle.
Do I still craft? YES! Do I still do puzzles? YES! Do I still plan meals? YES (if I didn’t, I never know what we would eat, LOL). Do I still work my business? YES (most days)! Why do I keep pushing….. I think of the little ant who reminds us we can do it. The fight is worth it. We can make it. Even though things look as if they are impossible, there is still some possibility there. Today, let me be the ant for you. Remember “impossible” is actually “I’m possible”.
Don’t let the fact a situation, a person, an addiction or a health issue cause you to feel defeated. You can’t stop trying. You can’t stop pushing. Don’t let it win…now PUSH!
I haven’t written in awhile, not sure what to say or what to write about. This morning, this was heavy on my heart so I figured someone needed to hear it. I was also surprised by the number of people who keep stopping by my blog to check it out even though I haven’t been writing. I’m grateful for my readers. I’m grateful for those who support my business. It is because I can make a difference in the life of one person I keep on pushing….
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 