These are hard times, dark days for many. There is our ongoing pandemic, political problems, economic and environmental issues, countless global issues – all above and beyond the inevitable struggles of our own personal, individual lives.
I am fortunate and grateful that I am in a good place right now – better than most and better than many places I have been. I may not share the pain of those who are struggling right now but I can and do empathize.
When one is going through a really difficult time one can easily feel abandoned, attacked, hopeless and helpless. Life can be draining and devastating – mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is easy to feel like giving up.
Many years ago I experienced a life altering moment. My life in general was bad – really bad. I left the hospital where my father lay dying, to drive home to take care of my family. It was typically a two hour drive on a good day. This day was not a good day. My father was dying, my marriage was in shreds, my husband had become a raging miserable bastard, my kids needed me, my parents needed me, I needed to be at work – and I was driving home in a blizzard. I could barely see beyond the front of my car (which was a worn out little sedan with no heater). I was terrified, I was heartbroken, I was sobbing and my tears made it even more difficult to see the road ahead. The stretch of road I was on is a series of hills and valleys. This day, as the snow fell and the wind blew , the valleys filled with snow drifts which I had to step on the gas to power through. Every drift that I pushed through brought me to a stretch of sheer ice at the top of a hill. My hands were frozen and my arms were limp. When I reached the point of believing this trip was going to end very badly, I noticed a sign a few car lengths away from me. I thought, okay. I may not make it home but I can get that far. I did. Then I saw a utility post – and I made it that far. This went on and on and on, until I made it home. I was frozen, I was exhausted, I was stronger, and I had learned an important lesson on how to navigate through life’s hard times. (Which I, unfortunately, had to use a few times since!)
For anyone struggling right now, take care of yourself, be kind to yourself, and do whatever you can to to help yourself feel empowered – even it just for a day, an hour or a moment. Know that you can, and that you will, make it through this – as long as you keep moving forward.
Also, If you must walk through hell, walk through like you own place!
I hope you enjoy my own unofficial theme song from Rodney Atkins.
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 
Cool song.
I use to sometimes have to walk to work 5miles. It was easier going to landmarks- that corner,this bus bench,etc. You are a strong woman!
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Thank you, Cheryl. It is obvious that you are strong as well! If I ever had to walk five miles to work, I don’t think think work would have gone so well🥺
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It makes a crappy journey a little easier when you can chop it up. ♥
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Sometimes you have to chop it up into pretty tiny pieces🙄
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Love this, so true.
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Thank you, Dwight! It is one of those things you always know is true, but when you really experience it, it becomes your natural go to.
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Great message!
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Thanks!
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Thank you so much for this post. I needed to hear this today. Tomorrow we discover the staging for my daughter’s breast cancer and I am so anxious and so sad that this is happening. Your words gave me hope that we can get through this one step at a time.
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I am so sorry that your family is going through this. I hope the tests come back in your daughter’s favour. That story from my life was totally true. I am glad my sharing it helped you. 💞
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Great post, and I feel the same way. Life is full of ups and downs and somehow we make it through. You are a strong woman and it’s always good to know that we can make it and smile once again. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing! I’ve been there too! ❤️
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Thank you! So many of us have been there. It is interesting to look back to see how far we have come and how we made it here – and hopefully give someone hope when they are going through difficult times. 💞
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Thank you so much for sharing this. It was just what I needed to hear. And yes, this can help in so many aspects of life. To be able to chop it up into smaller chunks, hitting a hundred little milestones on the way to big goal. Celebrating each one on the way is important as well so we don’t give up.
One fence post at a time, we can get through anything.
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Thank you, Angie! It is one of those thing that we all learn when we are young, something we use for working through projects and the like – but since that day, it is really a part of how I live.
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