Stretched beyond imagination
Strung so tightly
Stress to the breaking point
Plucked like a guitar string
The highest pitch possible
Hard to believe you could ever be normal again
But suddenly the tide changes
The hand wrapped around the tether that pulled so tight
Loosens the grip ever so slightly
And like a rubber band that’s been stretched and released
You find yourself
Maybe not quite back to feeling like yourself
But oh so close
And the funny thing is
That maybe this new version
The one that’s been stretched
And just a little bit looser
The one that faced the fear
And looked it right in the eyes
Looks good on you!
Blessitude!
Lorrie <3
6/24/2018
I am amazed at our ability to “bounce-back” from difficult situations. As I continue this healing journey, both physical and emotional, I notice that every obstacle I overcome makes me stronger and more resilient.
The stronger I become, the stronger I want to become. The more I face my fears and stare them in the eyes, the more my power rises and demands to be felt!
I recently tried to paddle board, something that I knew in my soul I had to do. I was scared to death, and if I am honest with you, I feel that same fear every single time I push off land.
Balance. There’s something about balance. You have to balance the board while you carry it; no easy feat. It is not heavy, weighing in at 28 pounds, but it is huge and awkward to maneuver. And then there’s the part where you have to actually stand on it while the ocean is rocking to and fro. Yes, there is a deep connection on any given day between my ability to feel balanced in my life and my ability to stand on the board.
And that is why I opted to enter calm waters to get acquainted with “Issy,” on my second try. The first time I put her in the water was in the ocean, and let’s just say that I learned the art of “falling” that day. Is there a lesson here?
Standing on my own two feet…on WATER!! I remember this day so well! I paddled for an hour and NEVER FELL OFF! The water was so calm, though kind of icky due to all the run-off from massive amounts of rain. It was so peaceful, until something HUGE jumped from the banks into the water about six feet to the front and left of my board. I was looking elsewhere, but screamed when I heard it and then saw the ripples in the water. I pulled the paddle close to me and tried to become invisible. I DID NOT LOOK BACK! To say I felt fear is an understatement. But then a beautiful little butterfly flew all around me, and I knew it was a message that I was safe.
Since that day I have made peace with the fact that what jumped into the water was probably an alligator. While I talk about facing your fear and staring it in the eyes, I don’t really see myself looking into a gator’s eyes! So subsequent ventures have been in the ocean…where there aren’t any scary creatures…RIGHT?
The moral to this story is that while fear lives in our head, it can take up residence in our whole being. It can paralyze us and stifle forward movement. I am only just beginning to understand how fear has impacted my life, and I always thought I was fairly brave.
The best way to break the cycle is to face your fear…AND DO IT ANYWAY! We are resilient creatures, so even if it doesn’t work out the first time, we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, stare fear in the eyes…and try again!
Sweet Blessings to you all <3
A message that’s a wonderful reminder, Lorrie! Resilience grows….
It is really something when we allow ourselves to notice that: our strength.
Overcoming fear (not denying fear) is rewarding, and also realizing how we can safely do this… 💗
I enjoyed your pictures and your poem!
Thank you, Ka! I’m happy you enjoyed them. I don’t always love photos of myself,but I am getting over that 😉
I am afraid every single time I go out and it feels so good to push through that fear! I was rewarded today when I saw a giant Ray!! At least 5 feet wide!!
I just got back, and I am utterly exhausted…it was hard to get the board home. I have to remember to leave a little strength to get her home!!!
Sending loads of love and light and hope that your day has beautiful surprises! 💜🏄♀️🌼
I’m glad I know you….. <3 Your post and reply brought me a big smile inside.
😁💜🌻
Humans are resilient…vw
And I am so grateful for that! Hope you are well!!
Thank you; yes maam. vw 🙂
You look so happy! It’s great to see you balanced and walking on water! xo
Hahaha! Some days better than others…just like life!! 😉
Hope you are well!!💜
Doing well here! So happy to have seen your post pop up in my newsfeed! xo
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Kudos on facing your fears and growing in strength and resiliency Lorrie! And paddle boarding sounds fun (at least once you get beyond the fear and balance parts!).
I sure do miss the ocean. Enjoy her for me. 🙂
I thought of you this morning, Brad! The ocean is so full of wonder and as much as I love her, I fear her too! I saw a 5 foot Ray today!! I tried to turn my board around fast as we were traveling away from each other…but…not that good at turning fast yet.
I don’t take my proximity to the ocean for granted…I KNOW how blessed I am!!
Sending good feelings and wishes of fulfillment to you, my friend 💜
I can face a lot of fears. Alligators, best not faced. 🙂 Like a rattle snake, best avoided. Good for you for getting back on the board and trying over and over until the fear lets go and you are satisfied with your growth. Keep up the good work.
Hi Marlene! Oh…I can’t even go there!! There was a small black snake in my screened in porch last week…yes…another fear!!!
Thanks for your support, I do appreciate it. It is really empowering to see that you can be afraid of something…do it any way…and see that everything is okay.
And on top of that it is one wicked form of exercise!!
Hope you are well, Marlene 😁💜
As well as I can be, Lorrie. I lived in the south for many years. Not a great fan of what comes with it. 😉 Well, except for both of my kids being born there. 😉
I understand, Marlene! I either overlook it…or when the fear is strong over”look” at it! 😉
I saw a 5 foot Ray in the ocean yesterday…so beautiful…graceful!
Have a super wonderful week…full of creation!😁💜
Wonderful to see you on the water and balanced. I have been thinking of paddle boarding as well…but still on the thinking level. And I would do it on the ocean or on the bay, which is salt water as well. No dangerous things in there 🙂 Many blessings to you, my friend <3
Hi Tiny! 😁 I totally recommend it! It is amazing to be standing up there and looking in the water…mesmerizing at times…certainly meditative. And, oh boy, what an exercise!
Hope you are well, Helen…much love and a giant hug to You! 💜🌸
I love it, your awesome!
I’m glad you love it!…and that you think I’m awesome! Hehe
I think you are pretty awesome too!!
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I love all that story.. An alligator adds some heart pounding to all the healing and overcoming..I say wow wow..I’d be petrified too, looking an alligator in the eyes is not many peoples idea of overcoming fear I wouldnt think..yikes
I love how you persevere and keep going! Beautiful!
Ah! Thank you Kerri! This has been so empowering…and so much fun in the process! There is always a story it seems…The Adventures of Lorrie and Issy! Sunday I was walking her down the hill and my (old haven’t worn in years) rugged sandals came apart and started flapping at the toe. I had to walk funny so as not to trip and then the strap on the top of the right foot broke! I stopped and undid the Velcro because it was flapping in the way of the left foot. If anybody was watching they sure got a show! Half way down the hill the ankle strap broke…and that was the end of that!! There was NO WAY I could walk barefoot! I had to wait while a friend brought me a pair of sandals to finish the walk home!
But you are spot on…healing and overcoming…and I am Blessitude!
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Have a brilliant day…and thanks☀️
Sending, love, hugs and blessings your way sweet Lorrie.
Ah! Thanks Maggie💜 I’m so grateful for our connection. Hope the rest of your week is super!!🌻☀️
What an inspiring post! Stay away from those gators, though! 😉 <3
😁 Oh!…you can bet on that, Theresa!!! 💜
Hope you are well!
I am. <3
I love that story, I can just imagine, lol..oh the lil things, right? Sometimes are our big things in the moment but when put in perspective all are steps taken to get where we’re going..so beautiful every step, even with broken sandals.
The best part is that I couldn’t stop laughing😁 In the past I am certain I would have been impatient and a bit annoyed. Instead, I was standing in the grass next to a giant paddle board practicing yoga poses while I awaited my sandals. Can’t tell you how many cars went by…would love to have heard their thoughts!😁
Have a great week, Kerri💜
Awe love it..I can hear the giggle..so beautiful qhen we can laugh at what we used stress about..I’d yell out the window, YOUR awesome if I saw you doing yoga barefoot…Sounds like a perfect day! Adventures of the heart and mind.
Courage does look good on you! I bet that gator was just curious, maybe even afraid of you and felt safer in the water. Whenever I feel tired or scared, I remind myself that my strength and courage always return. I’m so proud of you, Lorrie.
Thanks, Joanna! 😁 How funny to think that the gator was afraid of me! 🤔 Fear is a paralyzing emotion and I am working hard at recognizing it and…releasing it!
Thanks for stopping by…hope you have the best weekend!
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You, too! 🙂 <3
What an empowering story. I enjoyed so much reading this. And the fact that you noticed the butterfly in the midst of all that fear is amazing! And so beautiful too. A true miracle. Keep on doing what you’re doing. It sounds so healing.
Ah! Linda 😁 Thank you so much! Yes, the butterfly was my saving grace…the moment I saw it I knew that I was okay.
There is so much healing going on…so much stretching…so much pain…but I know that it all means something.
Thanks so much for caring _/\_
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Thanks Lorrie for sharing your journey! I am also amazed at how we can be stretched by life’s circumstances and bounce back. I too have noticed a new inner strength in these moments, despite facing great fear and vulnerability. It is a great feeling to face a fear as you did on the paddle board and do it anyways. An inspiring blog, keep writing and keep shining. Many Blessings, Lisa xx
Ah! Lisa…thanks for the words of Love, encouragement, and comfort! I am so happy that you, too, are feeling this strength 😁 Life is amazing…ALL OF IT!
Keep living authentically and sharing your soul😁
Thanks Lorrie, I appreciate our connection.
How powerful a message this is, Lorrie! Overcoming fear …. does only bring growth and strength but to do it, actually do it, is terrifying at times. I LOVE the way you overcame your fear of the paddle board. I’m not sure if I could do that. OH MY GOODNESS! While typing this comment, I actually captured a Hummingbird. I’m sitting outside on my picnic bench. I missed the red throated hummingbird …. crossing fingers he will come back. You brought me luck! THANK YOU! 😘😘😘
I KNOW he will come back dear Amy…and I can’t wait to see the photo!!! 😁😁
Sending good thoughts to you and I can’t wait to see all the love and hard work you put into your garden!!
Much love…many hugs!! 💜💜
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I’ve had anxiety and panic attacks for years. Coupled with physical disabilities I tend to isolate myself and not engage. Fortunately next week I will retire and I will concentrate more on withdrawing. Once I realized that I couldn’t cope the best decision was to walk away. I have been Unfollowing blogs, I deleted one of my blogs and rarely post on my writing blog. I stopped posting on facebook. I was thinking about getting rid of the writing blog altogether but it is attached to the photography blog. I’m a person without false hopes or illusions so I shall continue my retreat.
Strength and resilience is greatly admired in our society but those who don’t measure up get kicked to the curb. Walking away often proves to be the best answer to adversity.
I think, Deborah, that so much of the journey we walk is directed by the things we see and feel, and yet the great paradox is that so much of what we see and feel is directed by what we think. I have empathy for your situation and I am happy you did not end your blog. I think it’s paramount for you to continue to express yourself through your art…create…create…we create even when we don’t think we are.
Sending well wishes for your retirement…that is a huge deal!!!
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Thanks. Yes I’m looking forward to retirement as of August 16th. Funny now that I will have the time to blog more often I’ve lost the passion. I think that blogging is now becoming boring and more of a chore. Not fun. Plus I’m sick of dealing with trolls, hackers and flamers. Not worth the hassle and I’ve been unable to get WordPress to fix my account so you won’t be seeing too much from me in the future. Once your WordPress account is comprised its done and I have no intention of wasting time with the stupid WordPress Happiness Engineers. I have better things to do with my life.
I face so much fear in life. My daughter almost died right after she was born from a freak incident. I’ve quickly realized life is too short and way to fragile. Thankfully she survived. And I have my faith in Jesus to lean on. But I struggle so much. I really liked your poem. It rings a bell with me. Thanks for sharing. I do have my daughter story a few posts down if you would like to read it.
BloomsandBeautifuls.wordpress.com
I’m so happy you stopped by and that my poem about fear…and standing up to it resonates with you 😁
I am so happy your daughter is ok…I will be over to read about what happened!
I didn’t realize until recently just how paralyzed by fear I have been my entire life. Best to feel our faith…yes?
Thank you for visiting and commenting. Hope you have a wonderful week!