When I was going through my darkest times I never would have believed that they would become my greatest possession or even an asset for that matter. I wasn’t even sure, going through them, that I would survive them, or, that I wanted to, never mind believing that when I did they would be something I could call upon for a positive purpose. It wasn’t until I was in recovery that I realized the power of the stories of our pasts, and the amount of hope they spread.
I, for one, was saved, because someone shared their dark past with me. His story of where he had come from gave me the courage to reach out myself because I found enough hope in his journey that it gave me a little bit for mine. Had he not done that I don’t know that I would still be here. I knew, even early in my recovery, that our stories held a lot of power, it took a while to believe mine did, but that was demonstrated to me time and time again. Even when I was new on this path, there was still someone even newer who thought I had come a long way, and I remind myself, and others of that often, we, many times, don’t see the progress we’ve made and many times it isn’t until someone else, who is just starting on their path, or is having a difficult time, do we get to share our journey with them and see the value in that. No matter where we are, good day or bad, we all have something to share, and what we have to share may just save a life as a result.
Coming from a place where I only shared the good things it would have been inconceivable to me in the past to share any of the things I so willingly do today, even to one person, never mind in a forum like this, or in front of a bunch of strangers. I would have worried about being judged, thought of as less than or labeled crazy, but the truth is, I labeled myself far worse every day, I just didn’t want you to know about it. The result of letting go and sharing my truth has been far more rewarding than I ever could have imagined. Today, connecting with someone else who may be struggling or needing words of encouragement is what gives me the most joy, it is important to me to give back as some many have given me their time and compassion and have walked with me even when I wasn’t sure I could take the next step. But that’s the beauty of our past, it opens the door to share that walk with someone else, and gives us all permission to be exactly who we are in that moment.
It amazes me when I look back at how dark things got in my life and that by taking responsibility for my part in it, accepting it, forgiving myself and making better choices, I was able to take my power back and turn those dark times into my brightest light, and, it has allowed me to accept of all your light so that we can all shine brighter. We are not meant to walk alone, I don’t believe so, and I know if I had continued to I wouldn’t have made it, we are meant to walk together, each on our own journey, but walking as one, to pick each other up, to give us strength and to share in our victories as we overcome them. Because of my dark past I am able to connect with those around me and never feel alone, but we have to take that first step. Nothing is too dark not to find some light, and there is no greater victory than turning our darkest moment into a beam of hope. SLAY on!
SLAY OF THE DAY: Have you been able to turn your darkest moments into something positive? How so? If not, how can you turn those moments into an asset? Are you open about your past with others? If yes, how? If not, why not? How has your past helped you later in life? If it hasn’t, can you think of a way it can? We all have things we have struggled with and still do, but there is so much value in overcoming those struggles, not only for us, but for those around us. We have the power to turn our darkness into light.
S – self L – love A – appreciate Y – you
State Of Slay™ 