“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. Cummings
Married. That was my place, once before. Every day I fulfilled my role as the loyal and good wife while carrying my little boy on my hip. I thought I had it all; love, health, stability, family, social acceptance and more. On the surface, everything seemed picture perfect. I believed I was living true to myself. But something was not quite right…
Fast forward to February of 2015. The reality bombs dropped hard blowing up my life into millions of pieces. Complete and utter devastation was left behind. Shock and despair consumed my entire body. After years of living in denial, the truth of my failing marriage rose to the surface shattering my world.
Reality struck. My life as a wife was over. The future I had planned in my heart for my husband and our son went up in flames leaving me with the ashes of broken dreams.
Standing knee deep in the wreckage, I climbed out to save myself this crushing reality. Once I could breathe and regain consciousness, I began the arduous task of cleaning up the debris to build a solid foundation for my post-divorce life.
Some might say I was building a new me as a changed woman. But that’s not all true. Yes, the divorce was life changing. My living arrangements changed. My financial situation changed. My perspective on life changed. But I didn’t change…
I was becoming the real me.
During my marriage, I thought I was living true to myself aligned with my soul. But really, I was molded into someone who wasn’t me. I listened to everyone else’s expectations of how I should think and act rather being to true to my own desires, thoughts and actions. Instead of listening to the longing in my heart, I second guessed myself and didn’t believe in my natural abilities.
Ready to heal and revitalize my essence, I worked diligently to clean up the mess and start a new beginning. The more I dug through the rubble, the more I healed, the more my true self began to shine through the cracks.
Although painful, this excavation was necessary. I was on a divine mission digging for gold beneath the shattered pieces of my old self. Layers upon layers of my ego were thrown away one by one. The connection to my authentic self grew stronger creating the pathway to wholeness.
As I reached closer to the bottom, I recognized the person I’ve been hiding all these years. These discoveries gave me the energy, hope and motivation to move forward.
- I found my passion for writing and started an inspirational blog.
- I embraced my powers of strength and resilience getting through me the tough times.
- I realized I’m capable of achieving my goals while taking care of myself.
- I learned what’s most important by redefining my core values and priorities.
- I discovered my life purpose of using creative and intuitive gifts of healing to inspire others to live their life and create miracles for themselves.
- Most of all, I grow closer to God while learning to love myself unconditionally regardless of my circumstances.
Following the crash and burn of my marriage, I had choices. I could have claimed victim living in anger burning everything left behind. I could have lived in denial leaving the wreckage alone. But instead, I chose to heal viewing my wounds as sacred.
My sacred wounds opened my heart allowing the light of my soul to awaken. As my inner beauty was revealed, I persevered and kept digging through the wreckage until I struck gold—my authentic self.
After many days of pain, joy, exhaustion and exhilaration, the rocks from the mass destruction are finally cleared away. All that remains is the gold treasure of my true self once hidden, but now ready to shine. This piece of gold is dusty and needs polishing, but that’s ok. Learning about your true self is an endless journey, for your soul is ever evolving.
Now here I stand with this precious gold before me serving as a solid foundation to build my new life upon. Every brick, mortar, beam and nail will be a reflection of my true self-aligned with my core values, passions and dreams. I don’t know what this building will look like, how tall it will stand, or how many windows it will have. But here’s one thing I know for sure. My new building of life will be tough, strong and beautiful allowing me to become authentically…
Me.
Jodi, I am in awe of your ability to express even the most difficult times in your life in an uplifting, positive and engaging way. I truly look forward to your words, as they are so much more than just words! Sharon S.
Thank you, Sharon. It’s not easy to view things positively. Sometimes it’s harder, but the end result is so much better and brighter.
Jodi, Your post is another reminder to those, myself included, that there is indeed gold in each and every one of us. That discovery in itself is the beginning of healing – at all levels.
Thank you for your ability to convey this message in such an eloquent way. I look forward to reading all your blogs. Karen B.
Thank you, Karen. It’s all about the journey for it never ends, but always leads to beautiful destinations.
Great article, I believe with all my heart that there is growth in every circumstance. I am in the process of a divorce and it to has shown me my true self through the pain too. Thanks so much for passing on the light.
Your welcome, Rosemarie. It’s great that you too are able to see your true self through this difficult time. I hope the best for you with the strength to carry you through until the end and beyond.
Hey Jodi, I find that the most challenging experience we have in life are usually the most rewarding for growth. It’s great that you are able to discover more about your true self. :)
Thank you and yes, you are correct. We learn the most from life’s challenges.
This is beautifully written, Jodi! Thank you for sharing your experiences. I love what you wrote about having choices even in the face of a terrible situation. We can allow the situation to overwhelm us or we can use it to make us stronger. Very inspiring!
Thank you for reading,and I am so glad you found it inspiring! You always have nice comments. I truly appreciate it.
I believe our lives begin the moment we decide to be ourselves.
Thanks for sharing your story Jodi! All the best with the new chapter of your life.
Our lives sure do begin once we become ourselves. Thank you for reading and your comments!
I am going through this right now! My life is in such turmoil and there are days that I can’t breathe. 11 years with my husband and now its all gone. This article will help me through the dark days that I still have ahead of me. But wow, you touched on everything that I am feeling and experiencing. Thank you Jodi! Thank you for reminding me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that light is me!
I remember those days when I could barely breathe. I prayed to God over and over again asking for the strength to breathe. But, it gets better. It really does. And, you will be able to breathe deeply once again. Then all of sudden, one day you’ll become a beacon of light to shine upon yourself and onto the world. Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are not alone, but in the same boat with many others discovering their true self in the midst of difficult times. Peace be with you.
Jodi i admire your courage.
Your words really did move me.
And got me through the toughest hour
Thank you. For sharing your story
I am glad my words helped. You will get through this coming out stronger, wiser and more loving. Blessings to you.