{becoming me}

I read obituaries and blogs about personal tragedies. I check the news almost daily. My favorite books are historical novels or obituaries, most likely including stories of loss or survival. Often, I share the stories I read with Bryce. Tonight I shared with him a blog post by a woman on the other side of the world detailing her last day with and the sudden death of her husband. Afterward our converstation went something like this:

Half joking he asked, "Where do you find this stuff? Is there some website that links you to the saddest stories on earth!?!"

A little weepy I responded, "No! A website could exist with links titled 'Read this to be grateful for your life.'"

Which is truly, in part, why I read just such stories. They do make me feel grateful. However, as I followed another link from the same woman's blog I gained a little understanding about myself. Yes, most of the stories I read include engulfing heartache, helpless tragedy, and inhumanity. However, woven in each story is evidence of strength, growth, humility, overcoming, and triumph. I realized this as I read this quote:

"Don't stand in your own way."

Wow. I don't have significant heartache, hopeless tragedy, or inhumanity in my life.

I have me.

Sometimes, I stand in my own way.

I realized I admire the individuals I read about and to be truly inspired by them requires me to act.

Tomorrow and everyday after that I am going to remember this everytime I try to stop myself from being strong enough to become who I want to be and do the things I want to do.

And, sometimes, overcoming is going to hurt.
And, that's okay too.