In the last few days I've become more aware of the situation someone dear to me is in and the complexities that spin around the periphery of the root issue. I'll admit to a feeling of helplessness and feel my anger rise when I contemplate the scenario and the misery, disappointment, fear and uncertainty the person feels. I don't suppose that adequately covers the range of emotions she is experiencing though; I just can't imagine what it must be like.
We spoke yesterday and she raged a little; understandably so of course. Justifiably, she is incredulous and somewhat disbelieving that another human could act in the manner someone is towards her. I agree. The problem is none of us really hold the power to completely influence someone else's behaviours and actions, thoughts and attitude. so we need to endure or seek solutions.
The image was taken by me.
As humans we're born with innate qualities and learn others as we go. There's a few things nature bestows upon us all though, four things in particular I want to mention, that we can draw upon in times like my lovely friend is experiencing: Self-awareness, independent will, conscience and imagination.
There's other things of course, however these four fundamental things are at the core of us all and are pivotal to forward progression, especially when difficulties, distress and hardship visit our lives. It's these things that offer a path, direction, that can help us move from where we are, the bad situation, towards...somewhere better. They offer a degree of freedom I suppose, choice, a chance to see through the fog and to understand we can act, the creativity to seek change and the ability to actually do it.
The woman I refer to in this post is a strong, fiercely independent and extremely capable person. She's one of my hero's and I believe is someone other women, should they know just how incredible she is, might envy because of her qualities. But she's a little fragile at the moment and not at all herself or the brilliant woman she's capable of being.
Yesterday she took a forward step though and it's that step, the first, that can be the most difficult; it's also that step which ultimately leads to more. She took charge of herself, her thoughts and actions, and although the step she took may seem small in comparison to the long journey upon paths she must ultimately take, it was a step. I was proud of her and love that she empowered herself, felt able to, and that she felt good about it. A small win for her, but a win all the same.
Those four things, we all have, are inside of us for moments like my beautiful friend faces and are there to ensure that we can take steps, that we can find the ability to deal with, and move on from, bad moments to find better ones.
Becca 💗