EM-BRACE Yourself for IMPACT

If you've read much I've written, you may have noticed that I enjoy a good play on words from time to time. 😉 Because why not, really?!? Reading and writing is such a beautiful and unique opportunity to engage the mind in ways fewer things actually accomplish ✨️ 💖 ☺️

If you are an avid reader or even just enjoy an occasional book as a hobby, distraction or to gain knowledge on a specific subject of interest, I'm sure you can relate to what I'm expressing! The extra beauty to me in written and spoken communication is that every individual can actually have their own style and/or presentation that is as unique as they are as an individual! When the pen goes to paper, the expression can't actually be replicated, possibly forged, but never exactly delivered as the original author of the work.

With that being more elaborately explained than probably necessary to get the point (another...maybe not so useful, gift I possess), I'll now explain further the significance to me of the play on words I selected for the title. Instead of "brace" yourself, I choice "embrace" yourself for impact.

Bracing one's self for impact implies being in a situation that is usually unexpected and likely resulting in a poorer outcome that desired or originally intended. That dynamic, my friends, explains a good portion of the last decade, or so, of my existence.

However, despite the opposition, discomfort, and occasional anguish of that fairly intense season, I've discovered that there is also a great OPPORTUNITY for a shift in my perspective that will provide abundant amounts of positive progress if I so choose to allow it!!!

The "impact" and effect of embracing MYSELF JUST AS I AM AND HAVE BEEN, during this trying time, has proven invaluable for me!!! I've personally been working through a decent amount of unforgiveness towards those who I felt mistreated by as my marriage has been in the process of deterioration despite what I considered my "best" efforts.

What I've discovered to be most powerful and most difficult is to extend the same forgiveness I offered others...TO MYSELF 😭😭😭😭😭😭 Especially as a nurse dealing with the fairly raw reality of broken humanity on a daily basis, I rarely struggle to empathize and extend compassion to others, especially when they are hurting.

I know others in caregiving roles and occupations can relate to this dynamic well. For whatever reason (be it pride, self-righteousness, or something else), we often don't believe, or at least have a hard time understanding, that the rules also APPLY to US. FOR EXAMPLE...I 💯 rationalized myself out of believing I was in labor with my first child 🤦‍♀️ I could share many other examples that I don't have time for at the moment.

As I slowly venture into a new realm of unknown, as our family dynamic continues to evolve and change, I'm determined to me more accepting of the way I am! The impact of "embracing" myself where I am (even when I don't like it) has been the most helpful step forward to a future that has HOPE TO LOOK DIFFERENT!