I realized
after
my dad died
and
I held my stillborn son
~
all life is precious
and
we all have a choice
~
I can either
let life’s consequences
and
my reactions
build
or
destroy me
~
I alone determine my direction
~
Image: Geo Sans
My Personal Truth
Geo Sans
“right answer, wrong question”
Geo Sans 
(((Hug)))
thank you
~
(((hug)))
We are all held responsible for how we react, break, or grow stronger from adversity and pain. I think people have forgotten that they hold that power, and no event or person can take that away. ^_^
courage
~
the choice
and
ability to keep trying
without
expectations
or
guarantees
~
oh the places
we
will
go
Yes we have choices in life. Being happy is a choice.
awareness
is the
first step
~
learning
to
control our thoughts
is the second
~
then I feel
we can understand
happiness
is
a
choice
and
not
a
dream
Isn’t that the truth … sometimes life has to hit us hard, but, truly, we do have more control over the direction of our lives than we often imagine…
survival
~
the
will
to live …
That’s so true Geo! :) Life can lead us down some terribly grim pathways, and sometimes it’s difficult to get off those those pathways even after that journey has ended. It’s as if we become comfortable with an uncomfortable path – ‘better the devil you know’ syndrome. And it takes a real concious effort to look at our map and decide where we would ‘really’ like to go. And then not look back! Not easy, but rewarding if you can. :)
interestingly
put …
~
“comfortable with a uncomfortable path”
Quite profound and very moving.
different paths
~
the strange lessons
we learn
This is so wise and heartfelt…difficult to see through the pain sometimes but important to know you are never alone along that difficult path, blessings, Oliana
overcoming grief
sharing
learning
~
together
What you’ve gone through is heart tugging, Geo, but your words are beautifully written and true. Our reactions can make or break us…sending positive thoughts your way…
inhale
exhale
~
learning
how to react
from grief
~
breathing in the pain
breathing out the love
:)
:-)
Sometimes the road to understanding that we have choices is rocky and rough (ok, generally, it is a rough road to understanding). Sometimes I think life is weird … we come with no instructions, and the lessons we learn are from the scars we get – often the scars never heal and don’t often make us better, instead leaving us empty. So we’ve had to learn a lesson by suffering … and by the time we learn the lesson, the emotional damage has been done. That seems sort of backwards, doesn’t it?
Though, if we knew all the potential heartbreak and grief that awaited us, we might be too afraid to go on.
I sometimes wonder if these lessons really make us better? (Sorry, I’m in rather a gloomy mood). I imagine that there are good things … after losing your son, you’ll never take your daughter for granted – she’ll always be important to you. And that’s good. But the price …
I have studied Buddhism, and while I don’t practice, I think that Buddah was right: all life is suffering. It seems a bad place to start … but it seems true. And, I think you’re quite correct that it’s finally realizing that our choice of reaction can lead to continued grief and despair, or to a sense of acceptance that allows us to begin to move forward again.
I’m glad to have been able to read your words as you’ve made your journey through grief and pain … and I’m honored to be privy to your courage to find some solid ground under your feet … and a path that’s helped you take one step forward, then another, then another …
My friend, you inspire me greatly …
the past year
an endless journey
I’ve also learned
~
post-traumatic stress
can make a body
physically
over-ride one’s sense
of choice
~
a swollen amygdala
can alter one’s perception
into constant fight or flight
~
sometimes
choice
is an illusion
~
and others keep saying
get
over
it …
these lessons
make us
who we are
~
I’ve stopped judging them
no better no worse
my self centered thoughts
become too unbalanced
~
I’m being more
and
I’m thinking less
~
soft tones
in empty spaces