We frail humans are at one time capable of the greatest good and, at the same time, capable of the greatest evil. Change will only come about when each of us takes up the daily struggle ourselves to be more forgiving, compassionate, loving, and above all joyful in the knowledge that, by some miracle of grace, we can change as those around us can change too. Mairead Maguire
I came across this quote recently and while for many, it’s words will not have deep meaning, it does for me. Mainly, because it is a miracle of grace that, not only am I still alive, but have completely changed from the person I once was. I have written these posts…Very Much Alive…Seasons of Change…Through the Eye’s of Grace…these posts tell of my journey, my changes, that brought me to where I am today. These were written in my first months of blogging and long before most of you read my blog.
While some will judge me for these things, others can find hope for change, either for themselves or for a loved one that struggles with these things. I am willing to risk judgement because of those that walked before me...those that reached out their hands and their stories to me, so that I might have hope of better day's...they are the one's that taught me to take a risk and to pass it on...it is not mine to keep.
If you don't have time to read the old posts, they are about the person I once was, the mistakes I have made, the demon’s I have faced and over come and people I have wronged. These things came at a price. They almost cost me my life and that is something I will never forget. Even though I am no longer that person, they are still a part of my story. Even though those things no longer define who I am today, they are a part of my evolution.
This weeks Spin Cycle is about change. As I thought about change this week and reflected upon all the changes that have come through out my life, I have a renewed sense of hope. I am reminded of how far I have come and I am so thankful for the life I live now. I embrace the changes that have come out of my life because these changes have been my salvation. After I reread my old posts, I went to the mirror and looked at myself...and I cried. I cried because I am loved, and forgiven.
It’s because of these changes in me, that I see every person I come into contact with, through the eye’s of grace. It’s why I cannot judge. It’s why I choose love over hate. It's why my heart is full of compassion and why I see things in people that many miss. It’s why I choose the way of peace over fighting to be right. It’s why I freely give to those in need. It’s why I get back up when I fall down. It’s why I choose to smile, laugh, dance, sing and enjoy life. It's why every day is a gift to me, even if I am having a bad day(or week). It’s why I believe that other people can change…because I did and I lived to tell about it.
For more spins on change, check out Sprite's Keeper.
21 comments:
Such a beautiful and inspiring post! God's grace is amazing. I am glad you are a changed person. I am glad that everyone, despite their circumstances, can always have hope. Hope is a beautiful thing!
I have only to look at the beautiful faces smiling back at me on your sidebar to see how blessed you truly are. I'm glad you were able to battle those demons and come out changed for the better and for good. We're all human. We're innately meant to fail in our endeavors or there would never be failure. It's those who fight hard to overcome the obstacles we cherish all the more. Beautiful Spin. You're linked!
Thank you. More than you know - thank you.
No one is in any place to ever judge you. You have lived life. The ups and downs. you have seen hell and lived it.
you are healing and it seems you are far on the other side of all the bad in your past...
very inspiring.
Take care- Suz
Some wonderful changes have happened in your life! What a pleasure it was to read about them. Thank you for sharing your story!
Very well put. I believe that we are constantly changing— but to guide our changes is purely up to us. I cannot judge others because I do not truly know the struggles that they went through, or the ways they have tried to guide themselves through the challenges life gives them.
Good luck in your journey— may you arrive in the place you want to be.
This is a beautiful post. Change is, as you so wonderfully describe, both difficult and inspiring. Really, the alternative is stagnation, and you should be so proud to keep on moving and believing in yourself.
I haven't gone back yet to read the old posts but I will soon. You have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever "met". YOu always see the good in others. You have taken the mistakes you've made and learned from them. More than that, you use them to lift others up. This was a beautiful tribute to change.
I am always amazed by your stories and what you have done to get where you are now. You have so much love and hope shining from you. You have volved into a giving, loving, wonderufl person and everything you went thorugh brought you to this point.
Thanks for the birthday wishes! Lawd I'm so behind in my reading....
I realize, mostly on Saturday mornings when I have my calm to read my weekly blogs and respond to emails and be quiet and connect. I realize how much I am still changing. How many mistakes I constantly make, and yet, I don't really want to look at them as mistakes anymore. I want to look at them as part of me, part of my journey that gets me every day to the person that I am. Everything in my past created me. I'm ok with that. I hate being judged. But I'm getting ok with that too.
I love your journey. It's taught me a lot.
More than anything it reminds me how frail and human and beauitful we all are, that life is!
Thank you for your journey, and for you.
I think this says a lot about the strength each of us has in ourselves. Sometimes it may take a series of "events" to make us see the light. Your light shines BRIGHTLY!!!!
I am so happy for you that the changes in your life have been good and positive. It is wonderful to hear that.
I went back and read the older posts. It's taken me a while to stop crying and to form some thoughts. You see, I too have had those seasons in my life. Times that are full of pain, shame, guilt and anger. When I look back I see not the darkness of those days/years but the light of God's unwavering love for me. It was much easier to accept His forgiveness than to forgive myself. Your posts always hit so close to home with me. Love ya Girl!
I often get the opportunity to explain to my clients that they will know they are heading in the right direction when they are no longer afraid to look back and see where they've been, and when what they see there helps shape their purpose in what they are moving forward towards. The key being that while they no longer live in their past, they are not afraid to look it in its face ...because you gotta know where you came from in order to decide where you are going to go next.
BUT...that "past" no longer defines you. Instead, what you choose to DO with your past (how you let it shape you) towards a brighter future with hope and willingness to let it serve a good purpose...THAT is what defines you.
BTW, thanks for your email. I plan to respond when I can give it the appropriate time and energy to tell the story.
Your openness is what draws me to read everything you write and makes me a better person for doing so. Thank you....yet again.
Praying for you this week! Hope it is very special!
I love coming here to read your posts. Thank you.
So many changes, and you have weathered the storm and come out a better person and willing to help others going through the same upheavals and decisions. I guess no-one should really be scared of change, but somtimes it is a very scary thing...
I am glad you have chosen the path that is most enjoyable - all of your last paragraph. Great Spin!! You have changed more than most of us and you are better for it.
I think when i finally get to take some time off...April?...i am going to take the time to read thru the archives of certain people's blogs...there's a whole lot of stuff i have just not had time to go thru...and i think you learn so much about people when you take the time to learn the back story. Something tells me yours will be one of the first i read. Ok, second...cos i have to figure out what is behind stoneskin's fascination with vermin. But then definitely yours after that, you have quite a story. Maybe you should consider sitting down and doing a more formal compilation to share, i think it might be just the thing to give others hope :)
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