Sometimes we trip and fall. I have tripped and fallen and I assume responsibility for that.
Other times, we are tripped by someone or something else and my lesson is to figure out the difference and to not punish myself when something is or isn’t my fault.
Last night was a horrible night for me, as I sat and felt scared and alone for hours, unmoving, on my couch.
It felt like an elephant is sitting on my chest and I could not breathe.
These are the nights that try our souls.
Man, oh, man are these dark nights tough, even when you’re not feeling like there’s a lot of hope left in the world.
You count your blessings.
I am blessed to have my family.
I am blessed to be able to coach wonderful kids playing a wonderful sport to the very best of their abilities.
I am blessed to be able to do so alongside other coaches who have also become good friends.
I am blessed to be steward to a wonderful dog who is a delight every single day. That wonderful boy has saved my life more often than he will ever know. But that’s what Saint Bernards are for, right?
I am blessed to have so many loyal clients and friends who love me. I am blessed to be surrounded and supported by those friends.
Those blessings are non-negotiable.
They are constant and they are present – and if you find yourself staring down the barrel of the darkest that you have ever felt, know there’s hope for you. Reach out to a friend, ask for help and look to the light. It can guide you.
Getting more sleep, getting more exercise and getting more sunlight are also helpful when we are hurting very badly, even when the bright sunshine means it’s, like, -15C.
And above all, try and remember that this, too, shall pass.
Darkness lifts, and it’s always darkest right before the dawn.
I’m still here. Can’t keep me down. Sometimes it bears repeating that in life, it’s not about how you get knocked down, but how you get back up.
So, you keep getting back up.