My 500 Words: A Writing Challenge - Day 2

What am I thankful for today? I am thankful for the ability to move. Everyone comes to a crossroads at some point or another. A time where you keep moving forward or you stay where you are and die.

People are always trying to impose the limits they see with their eyes onto you - or me. They look at you physically and say, "You can't do this. It is not possible." Or they say, "You are not smart enough."

What they don't see is the fire inside you. That flame doesn't go out when the pressure comes. It just grows brighter, pushing you onward to greatness.

I refuse to listen to the naysayers. The only person I am in competition with is myself. How much I do or how far I go in anything isn't determined by my size or race. It is determined by my inner strength. When someone says I can't go ten steps, I will go twelve. If I stopped making progress just because someone else thought it would lead to my disaster, I would never do anything. In fact, I wouldn't be as good as I am now.

A good story to illustrate my point happened a few days ago. As I was buttoning my shirt, I was thankful I could do it myself. It reminded me of all the times I struggled learning to button things as a child.

My mom and other family members took me to occupational therapists so I could learn how to do simple tasks like button things. It took forever for me to master that skill, but through all the frustration, I did it. I also learned some valuable lessons.

I learned that things don't always come easy. I learned to never give up. Sure, I cried and wanted to give up MANY, many times, but my mom always encouraged me.

These lessons have become invaluable to me. When I am faced with a hard situation, I don't run from it. I don't shy away from the challenge. I say, "Okay, how can I overcome this?" Some times I don't know how it will all work out, but the answer is always, "One step at a time."

We all have a choice. I am celebrating every step. I may get knocked down, but I will not stay down. Celebrate where you are today. Celebrate WHO you are! All of the things that you think are your imperfections make you who you are. Keep striving! Keep fighting against the current of what people say is normal or expected. You were made for so much more than what you can see right now. 

Look negativity in the eye and laugh. Laugh because you have the upper hand. I know you may not feel like it, but you do. I challenge you to do something outside of your comfort zone today. You may be surprised at what happens! After you get over the fear, you should feel a settling. All of the butterflies may not be gone yet, but do it anyway! I promise doing something afraid is better than doing nothing at all. 

So, what are you waiting for?!

My 500 Words: A Writing Challenge - Day 1

I've committed to writing 500 words every day for 31 days as part of Jeff Goins 500 Words Challenge.

This will hold me accountable and force me to get those creative juices flowing!

Here it goes:

Someone recently asked me, "Is there a focus to your writing?" Yes. I like to share my real-life experiences in the hopes of helping others. 

I also like to ask deep questions. I've always been that way. I like to ask deep questions about life, myself, and other people. Some have said I am introspective. Others have said I am wise beyond my years, an old soul. I guess all of that is true.

I am also an observer. Many of those deep questions and conversations stem from things I've seen and heard from other people. I find that I learn more by being quiet and watching than I do trying to talk all the time. 

Some people never go past the surface level "Hey, how are you? How's the weather?" That is fine for them, but I like to dig deeper and learn more.

I have learned that pain doesn’t have to define you. Yes, it shapes your views, but you are more than what you’ve gone through. I am more than what I have gone through. I have likes and dislikes. I have passions that I am pursuing.

I share even if others don’t understand. I share to help. I share to encourage. The things I post on here to help me as much as anyone else. As I think about things and how the world has changed, writing helps me to cope.

I didn’t think writing 500 words would be this challenging. I think I’m making it harder by trying to stay on one train of thought. Writing is one art that never seems finished. You hope each sentence weaves together to create a beautiful story, one that matches the pictures in your mind, but it doesn’t always get there.

Not overnight at least. Ninety percent of you may be on the page, but what about the other ten? What are you holding back? What are you leaving unsaid? What is holding me back from showing me?

Life is raw. Sometimes there are things we don’t want to remember, much less share. But what if it could help someone? I get it, though. You have to be ready to share. You have to be comfortable. You have to be in a place of acceptance. The pain can’t be fresh. You have to give yourself time to work through the emotions before you can ever put things into words.

I’m getting to the place that other people’s opinions don’t matter as much. I’m not letting their perception of me weigh on my mind too much. Most people only see a part of me. They don’t know the whole Madison.

I’ve had to remind myself this week that it is okay to rest. It is good to reflect on your progress and what you have already accomplished. And then the next day, you forge ahead, determined to keep going. Taking little steps. Doing something good. Continuously stretching. Then, recovery. Letting your body adjust. And realizing those steps have made you stronger than you realized.