A Pep Talk For Me

On Facebook a few weeks ago, I posted a picture that I thought was funny and encapsulated pretty well a lesson we are trying to teach Hallie right now, that of when it is reasonable to cry about something, and when it is not.





Recently, I commented to a friend that I wished I knew where to get my hands on a poster of an adorable kitten hanging on to a tree branch, with words written in a large bold font something like, "Just Hang In There".

More recently, Hallie brought home a cute little book from her library at school about a little family of bunnies getting ready for bed.  The last page says,
Always lovely,
Always new,
Tomorrow's waiting
Just for you.

Even more recently than that, Hallie and I have been working on memorizing the last Article of Faith she needs to learn to get her big prize.  One phrase in particular kept sticking in my mind as we recited the words.  That phrase is, "we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things."

All things.

That's a lot of things.  Especially when you consider that you have already endured "many" things.

All day yesterday the angry voice in my head kept screaming "I can't do this! I just can't!"  and then the hard, logical voice inside my head kept saying, "Well, you just have to.  Which means you can."

And then I cried.

When I woke up today, the sun shining on my very own "tomorrow", things didn't seem quite so bad, and as I've gone through the day all the little pep talks that I've been giving to other people kept running through my head like an old sitcom on late night television.  You know you've seen it before, but you just can't change the channel.

I think this is one of those decisions that you just have to keep making throughout your life, when the crazy days come and you are screaming inside your head that you just CAN'T do it, or you just don't WANT to do it, or you just SHOULDN'T HAVE to do it, that you are going to do it anyway.  Because that is what is in front of you, and there is no choice but to go through.  So you do.

I love the sentiment in Hallie's book.  Tomorrow is new.  You might have some ideas about what will happen tomorrow, possibly some very educated guesses, but you don't actually know.  And so why not hope that it will be the best day ever?  That you will fall in love, or get a promotion, or not be in pain anymore, or learn to ride the bike, or pass that hard test, or patch up a soured relationship.

Who knows!  It could be tomorrow!  Why not?  Tomorrow is lovely. It is new.  It is waiting, just for you. 

Just for me.

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 18, 2013 at 6:07 PM

    This is exactly what I needed to read today. I've been feeling glum lately, and this was helpful. Thanks, Ames.

    ReplyDelete
  2. h51773September 18, 2013 at 6:38 PM

    I was at a leadership meeting last week and one of the speakers said, "the Lord doesn't lessen trials just because you are praying, He strengthens you so that you can handle them." Keep praying... and thanks for the pep talk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AlisonSeptember 18, 2013 at 6:56 PM

      I love that quote, Hannah. Thanks for sharing!

      Delete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2013 at 6:54 PM

    Amen sista friend. totalllllllly neeeded this pep talk of yours. so merci. miss u.

    Kara

    ReplyDelete
  4. AlisonSeptember 18, 2013 at 7:06 PM

    Excellent post Ames! This reminds me of a blog that I think you read sometimes and you shared with me forever ago. I don't remember the woman's name or blog, but I copied down the quote because it was amazing! She says, "...sometimes I think about how close I might be to the moment that changes my whole world, and how often do I want to give up on it too soon, thinking I am still millions of miles aways? How often do we despair unnecessarily? If we could only see the mere inches that stand between us and our goals, do you think we'd try even harder to get there? Or just better enjoy the journey?"
    I had an experience like this yesterday. I made a choice to move forward with my life thinking either way I would have to endure my current trial for much much longer. And once that decision was made, I could finally see the line and how close I stood to it. I could finally see how all I needed to do was step over the line and the rest the Lord would take care of. It was amazing to see in a real life situation. Love you! Hang in there chica!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mimi CollettSeptember 18, 2013 at 7:18 PM

    You CAN do this, babe! :)

    Also, I tried that line on Jill the other day: "You could cry about it . . . or you could dance about it." I acted out the sentiments, too. She did stop crying. But she also looked at me like I was crazy.

    And when days are especially hard, I like to remember that my children will be my best friends some day. That helps make whatever we are going through seem more worth it.

    And with physical pain, yes, I totally agree. You have to go through it—so you can! There's no other option really. And it will end. It will come to an end.

    I also love the idea that every day is a new day full of fresh opportunities and second (and third and fourth . . . ) chances.

    ReplyDelete
  6. nicoleSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:48 PM

    I Just Want To Live Across The Street From You. Wouldn't we champion it up?
    Yeah, we would.

    ReplyDelete

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