If you know me personally, you also know that I'm incredibly persistent and have a ridiculously long fuse.
I put up with "stuff", way longer than the average human on this planet would ever consider.
I don't give up without a fight - on anything, ever.
That's been both good and bad, happy and sad, because along with that persistence and tolerance comes being taken for granted.
You'd think for a Jersey Girl that I'd be all tough - yeah, that's just on TV. This Jersey Girl is a big 'ol mush and, proud of it, and I don't change to suit anyone. I am who I am the end. I'm proud of the fact that I'm loyal, perhaps to a fault. Do I get hurt sometimes, sure - who doesn't?
Especially when the people you think you can trust hit below the belt.
...and surprisingly - I'm not some depressive mess!
Why?? What's the point? Life is short. I'm happy and if this little thing over here is a source of sadness beyond anything that can be resolved, then I'll just move over to another spot for a while.
I have come to a personal cross roads in many areas of my life, all at once, which is even weirder for me. Some things I can no longer ignore or just blow by. Things that were always in front of my face, but I chose to ignore for whatever reason.
I'm a creature of habit. I like things to be in order - consistent. This whole "jumping blindly into the void" isn't my style. When you just can't deal with something any longer, what do you do?
After all, one person can only do so much before it becomes - well, just sad.
In some situations where my feelings had been hurt, I took a a giant step backwards out of the situation. Some people cared, others didn't. Can't help that - that's on them, not me. Again, one person can only do so much and I matter too. No matter how much you may care about somebody or something, you get tired of feeling taken for granted. I can see virtual feathers getting ruffled already, but not all of you fine folks know what's been going on in my life.
I've struggled with things from every angle, it seems. Some big things, others not so much. Either way, it's prompted some really heavy conversations with the "Big Guy." No, not my husband - the REALLY Big Guy.
Being at this cross roads I feel confused about some things. So I started to ask God for his opinion, for his guidance. "OK, so now what? What's the plan,God? What should I be doing?" I also mention, "Remember, I'm blond God, so You know that subtlety doesn't work for me. Slap me upside the head signs would be incredibly helpful."
Sunday morning started first, with an email that clarified some issues that had me really distressed. Things that have been plaguing me most of my life, but I've let roll off my back. You can't change other people, you can only change yourself. This email shined a light into a different direction to give me something to think about. It also gave me a little boost to an area that felt kicked down.
THEN...to church. We had a guest preacher. A young Hispanic man from an urban area, a wonderful - very real speaker. The title of is sermon for the day..."Don't Quit."
Seriously!
My morning shower conversation had been heard - loud & clear. Thanks, Big Guy! I've been given the direction of Don't Quit, with further clarification - which meant quite a lot.
For me, right now in my life -it's good to take a step back and look at everything. To again, check the status of things around me. Check myself. Take the time to get my heart good with me. To matter to me.
Road Blocks & Cross Roads are just little park benches to collect myself. It's OK to hang out at the cross roads. It's OK to not quit, to not give up - and to maybe take that step back and let others pick up the lead. Because I can't do it all, and I shouldn't do it all and I DO matter.
And if I have noticed that an area of my life has truly expired - it IS OK to say thank you and to let it go....
To always remember that where a door slams shut, a window opens.
Thank you all for your continued support & for reading my blog!!
Smoochies!
~Jenn
"You can't change other people, you can only change yourself."
ReplyDeleteIf we could all just learn to accept this, we'd all be so much happier!! Hope you find happiness and peace, girlfriend. <3 and Hugs to you.
Teri
Snarkfest
Beautifully written!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got some reassurance and some guidance! I, too am one of those people that holds on way longer than I should. And I thought that I was the only one in my family that did that until a conversation with my sister in law showed me that my brother, the one who I think has it SO together...yup. He can't let crap go either. lol
ReplyDeleteOne of my mantra's has always been "If you can't change your day, change your mind." It's easier said than done on a lot of days, but there are many that I notice myself in a funk and then just adjust my attitude!
Smootchies to you!!!
It's hard to be a tough girl with a soft heart, I love getting to know you!
ReplyDeletei can relate to this in so many ways. I am presently STUCK at the crossroads. I too am glad you received some reassurance and guidance! I hope things get better and easier for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd you have been my "preacher with a message straight from the Big GUY" and I don't know what I would do without ya!! seriously!! Thanks! (((HUGS)))
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