We all have our days, our moments, and those times where we cringe at our actions. Facebook and social media sites have morphed the public into being a somewhat "perfect" world. In all reality, we all know that underneath it all, none our homes are perfect behind closed doors. Of course, we love sharing our happiest and proudest moments, but what's wrong with sharing some of our not-so-proud ones?
I was a nervous child, but not nearly as nervous as one of my sisters. What plagued me was almost worse than anxiety, it was obsessive behaviors. Hand washing a certain way, a certain length of time, and if something interrupted the procedure, the entire thing would have to start again. Steps to different rooms had be timed in a certain number, flipping the light switch a certain number of times, and smoothing my pillow in a certain manner before going to sleep. Counting was something that invaded my mind, night and day. I remember wishing the numbers would just stop, and would just go away. In my mind of an 11 and 12 year old...if I quit these tendencies, something terrible would be fall upon my family. Somewhere, somehow, the obsessive tendencies were lifted. My mom would always encourage me to pray to God, and to Mary, and they would take care of me no matter what, the counting would not matter to them. (So, of course, I obsessed and had to say a certain number of Hail Mary's, Angel of God's, and Our Father's before bed. ;) ) I can laugh now...thankfully.
As I've grown older I've learned different coping mechanisms. Most of all, I've learned how to deal with worry and stress. Jake will be the first to tell you that many times, I fail at coping well. It is important for me to share that it is completely normal to struggle with such emotions! We all feel the need to hide behind brick walls and not to open our hearts to those who love us. My family would be the first to say that I'm one of those very people I'm talking about. Find what helps you...and don't be afraid to share it with those around you.
One of the very best ways I have learned to deal with stress is to pay it forward. Simply put, instead of focusing on your own needs and worries, focus on someone else. I've learned firsthand that it is hard for people to talk about illness, hardship, and failure. Be that person that isn't afraid to step outside of the comfort zone and offer a friend or associate a shoulder to cry on, or a hand to help them up from the despair that has knocked them to the ground. You won't regret it, and in doing so, your soul will grow.
Those moments that hit us so hard we can not breathe...those are the moments in which we grow.
"God often uses our deepest pain as the launching pad of our greatest calling."
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