The Unsolicited Gift of Despair
If you’re anything like me, you want life to be smooth sailing and believe it to be possible! But I’ve noticed that in the darkest hours, that’s when I hear my own voice and all the unspoken words that now must be faced.
I heard a speaker call this experience the unsolicited gift of despair. When you reach the end of your rope, the good news is there’s no more rope. It’s the realization that you can’t salvage your life or anyone else’s. You get to make a new (scary) choice.
So on the day your nerve fails, your children break your heart, and you’re out of energy for other people’s nonsense, you’re nearer to your breakthrough than you imagine. Throw it all out: the plans, the beliefs, the expectations, and put your peace first.
Take one step
Plan one thing today that feels like chicken noodle soup, a cozy blanket, a long hug.
- Book time with a therapist.
- Take a class.
- Spend a weekend alone.
Let your peace of mind be your guide—even if it takes you in what you have always been told are scary directions. You’ll know you are on course when you can breathe, when you aren’t looking over your shoulder, when you smile, when you glimpse a future you want to have.
In other words: your despair is the first clue that a new, different life is possible.
You don’t have to move quickly. Keep going in the direction of: joy, rest, confidence, relief, safety, curiosity.
You don’t have to do it alone!
There are so many communities that offer you tools designed to support you. I’ve written books and we have a membership community called Brave Learner Home if your struggle is related to homeschooling.
No matter what, you have the strength, courage, and wisdom to trust that something new can emerge.
Rooting for you always.
PS: If this message stops you in your tracks, start by pausing and writing your thoughts. You can take a match to the paper later. Write the wrong thing and let yourself know your truest thoughts. You’ll be okay.
