Sometimes Being Strong Is The Only Option

Sometimes Being Strong Is The Only Option!

Many have said that in order to truly experience happiness and love… we must also experience sadness and heartbreak. Life is full of beauty and wonder, but it can also bring its share of challenges. Sometimes those challenges can test us to our core where being strong is the only option we have.

Almost one year ago today, I went through a major challenge that tested almost everything I believed in. I got injured in a way I’d never expected. That injury landed me in a wheelchair for a week, crutches for 10 days, and with physical and emotional wounds.

The Challenge Had Just Begun

For the next several weeks I got to experience both beauty and sadness. I experienced the beauty of unconditional love and support from my immediate family who were by my side and took care of me. I also experienced loving support from people that unexpectedly went out of their way to offer a helping hand.

On the other hand, I also experienced sadness and disappointment. I had to deal with judgment, pointing fingers, lies, nasty remarks even from complete strangers. Not a to mention I was also dealing with physical and emotional pain.

My biggest challenge was not only to heal and get back on my feet, but to go within to find the strength I needed to speak up, rise above all of the negativity in a way that was authentic and empowering. I was determined to hold my head high. I wanted to show my son how to overcome obstacles with dignity, strength and courage. Hiding, feeling ashamed or embarrassed was NOT an OPTION.

Dealing With Negativity

Words have a tremendous amount of power that can hurt or help anyone especially during difficult times.

While many of the comments and notes I received were positive on how I was handling the situation and how I was able to help and inspire others… There were many comments that were hurtful and mean-spirited.

People tend to hide behind their computers and forget that the person receiving their negative comments are people as well. They say things that they probably would never say to anyone face to face.

We don’t have to agree with everyone and we certainly have a right to our opinion, but why go out of the way to be nasty, hurtful, and mean?

There were moments when those comments hurt me deeply. I wanted to respond, but then I realized that if I did, I would be giving those people the power to hurt me and take away my time and energy that I needed to heal and find peace.

Strength Comes From Within

During that time I learned a lot about myself, the people that surrounded me, my faith, and what being strong really means to me.

There were highs and lows, moments where I stumbled, cried, and anger would rear its ugly head. I had nightmares, suffered from lack of sleep and intense pain.

It’s my belief that we cannot heal or change something we are not aware of or willing to do. I had to face my fears, doubts and even forgive myself for trusting the wrong people that led me to put myself in that situation. I had to learn to forgive the people in charge of that event that led to so many being injured.

It’s easy to point fingers, blame and even diminish other’s experiences, but I knew that if I was going to heal my emotional wounds, I had to forgive and go within. That is true strength for sure!

I had to overcome my share of challenges and obstacles during my healing process. Somehow I knew that forgiveness did not mean that I condoned what happened. I knew that forgiveness was for me to be free so I would no longer carry that burden in my heart. Read more about the Power of Forgiveness

Reflection

Looking back at all that I had to overcome, I realize that being strong was the only option I had. I had to walk my talk and live fully what I teach and preach to my students and my family on a daily basis. This was very important to me. I want to live my life with integrity and honesty.

Practicing and teaching yoga for the past 14 years helped me heal and break free. Yes, something terrible happened, but it didn’t break me nor define me.

Today, I’m stronger, more empowered, and proud for handling the situation the way I did.

Overcoming this challenge helped me connect and help others at a deeper level, be more open-minded and not make assumptions.

We never know what others are going through unless we have walked in their shoes.

If you’re going through a difficult time, please remember that you are not alone. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.

If you know someone that is going through some challenges, be there, offer words of encouragement and support them. Don’t judge them.

Please share this message with anyone you feel could use some inspiration and reminded them that they can too overcome any challenges in their lives no matter how hard they are.

Sometimes Being Strong Is The Only Option!