Bigger Than You
At some point in your life you will face something bigger than you. Chances are very good it will happen more than once. But that first time can knock you for a loop; pull the proverbial rug out from under you. It can take your predictable, happy life and turn it upside down.
Although life's traumas are tremendous opportunities for growth, we don't see them that way when they present themselves to us. When they appear our first inclination is to run and hide. Or bury it. Or numb it. We think we surely don't have the strength to endure it. And yet truly the only way to lessen its grip on you is to not merely face it, but walk through it.
Those around you will want so much to soften the blow or offer words of wisdom and they will try; yet there is nothing they can do to change or alter the course for you. They may hold your hand or bolster you with a solid hug and tell you they will always be there. But it is a solo journey. And you know this in your heart. You alone must do the work put before you.
It is like a long dark tunnel that is pulling you in. You resist, your body literally turning away even as your spirit is leaning in. You peer into the tunnel and see utter darkness with no end in sight. Strong winds create an eerie howling that sounds almost human. You have a deep sense of foreboding in your belly. You wince and steel yourself, despite your urge to run. You take one last look around for help: your husband… your mom… your sister… your friend, but no one appears. You are scared. You've never gone through anything like this before in your life and you question why this is being asked of you when clearly you have no experience at it.