"Choose life" is the first thing that came to me this morning when I woke up.
But what does that really mean? It doesn't mean embracing life as it is without challenge and it doesn't mean stretching ourselves so far that we snap.
This is a balance I've been learning about lately as I confront social phobia and try to find the right configuration of social activity that works for me specifically. "The world" tells us that we should always be social, always be available, always enjoy being around people. For introverts, that's pure torture. We need to balance that in a special way and it's quite a learning curve!
Some socializing is important. It's important to have a support network in this life. None of us can do it entirely alone, as much as we might like the idea of it. For me, part of "choosing life" is the willingness to create that network, even though it's not entirely comfortable.
I am also involved in something that I hope to blog about here eventually. Right now I can't. I can say that it involves possible elder abuse and it is, frankly, putting me in a degree of danger. "Choosing life" also means doing hard things, even when they're scary, simply because they have to be done. This situation, make no mistake, is scaring me to death but I have to follow through on it.
Choosing life is also about making changes we know we need to make and having the courage to do it. My life is very much about "being brave" these days. I can't believe how many times I have chanted that short mantra over the past four or five months. Be brave. Be brave. Be brave. It's not about achievement. It's about the effort. Being brave doesn't have to be heroic. It can be as small or as large as we can do at the time. While it's scary and challenging, it's all good because it's choosing the fullness of life.
Speaking of scary and challenging, Angela at Eclectic Recovery is taking a big step in her life. She is choosing life. Can you take a few minutes and go over to wish her luck?
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wellness Wednesday: Choosing Life
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9 comments:
Your courage is impressive Chani. I so enjoy your FB entries. So thoughtful. I can but guess at your present struggles, but know that I am thinking of you, and offering up the best for you. Blessings.
I also liked the picture. Consider using it for your blog header.
Sherry, I have just sent a note to the person I am working with to get permission (or not) to talk about it. Thanks for the good wishes. I need them! :)
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C, yes! I like that idea! It is the perfect picture!
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I'm concerned for your safety, but I know that you will handle this situation with a level head, caution, and possibly a loaded .38.
Good luck and please take good care of yourself.
Choosing life, being brave, words I think I understand in other terms for i believe in my "adventure" that i am a fighter. I do not know all your struggles and I will try to catch up on your earlier posts, being strong and being still are sometimes the same thing.
Do what's right, but also --
please be careful.
I think finding a balance that works for you specifically is the key. I am a somewhat reluctant socializer. I push myself to get out and meet people, but I also allow myself not to when I just don't feel like it. Seems to be working okay.
Introverts actually require time to withdraw and recharge. While social situations can recharge extroverts on the go, they drain introverts. It has to do with brain structure and chemicals and not a perversity of attitude.
choosing life is a very personal thing, I think, because you need to choose YOUR life.
good luck with you big situation, oh Brave Chani.
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