About blooming

January 26, 2016

personal-growth
If there’s one thing that’s evident from my years developing grey hair is that there’s no personal growth without pain.

Whether it’s physical or psychological, no one escapes from this world without some rain and pain, even if it looks like they do.

That bad stuff doesn’t have to define us. It’s our response to the trials and tribulations of life that defines us.

Here’s the real question: what do we do when we’re deeply wounded?

We can either rise to the occasion or be consumed with anger, bitterness or envy. It’s our choice.

I can think of a number of people I know who have been handed challenges and inspire me tremendously with how they keep moving forward with positive, affirming attitudes.

I can also think of a few who seem to always get stuck in the muck.

When I saw this quote, I loved it, because I, too, bloomed from a painful wound or two. Maybe even more. And at this age, I can see clearly how that pain forged me into the person I am today.

The beauty of being this age is the perspective it affords us. That perspective is the amalgamation, the fusion, the interaction of all of our life experiences, good and bad.

I find the view from here fascinating.

You?

 

21 comments on “About blooming
  1. We all feel pain at one time or another. No one escapes it. The trick is to use that pain to find the joy and revel in it. Adversity to thriving – that’s the way life is. In midlife let’s all thrive!

  2. Shari Eberts says:

    What a beautiful quote. We must all take our hardships and turn them into the best things we can. It is how we grow — or should I say bloom. Thanks for sharing this lovely sentiment with us!

  3. Jennifer says:

    Great quote Carol! Seeing the opportunities for growth in my struggles and problems, is a blessing I’ve learned with age. Great topic!

  4. Laurie Oien says:

    Very lovely quote Carol. I’m always inspired by others that have endured much pain and then turned it into something positive. However, when I take a moment to look at how I’ve handled my own, I realize I can inspire too. That’s a good feeling!

  5. It is a god view if you survive the journey getting there. I choose to soldier on and take oxygen up along the way.

  6. The way we handle challenges in life is up to us. I’ve survived the death of two husbands, the loss of a son and breast cancer. None of it was easy, but I refuse to be a victim.

  7. Ruthanne says:

    Often, it’s our pain that we recover from that helps us to reach out to others, to help them avoid living the same pain we did. In that way, pain brings joy.

  8. andrea says:

    we can bloom no matter where God plants us – we just have to be willing to do it

  9. Being a victim has never been an option for me. There’s a certain pride in survival that inspires the soul.
    b

  10. roz warren says:

    Agreed. We’ve got to play the hand we’re dealt as best we can instead of turning the table over and giving up. (And how lovely to see that rose, given how white and cold and snowy it is out my Philly window today.)

  11. Hi Carol! This post reminds me of the value of stoicism. I have a current book (haven’t finished it yet) titled, “The Obstacle Is the Path” and I so agree that the challenges we face and overcome are what help us to be the best we can be. Yes! The view from here is awesome. I can’t wait to see the ones to come! ~Kath

  12. Katy Kozee says:

    I really really needed to see this today. Thanks.

  13. Ruth Curran says:

    Perspective is, in my opinion, the greatest gift that comes with age! Yep, the view from here is pretty stinking good!

  14. Elizabeth O. says:

    I so love and appreciate the message. It’s nice to be able to rise from a former struggle or pain and come out as a better person. Thanks for this wonderful reminder.

  15. Donna says:

    I believe it is our purpose to travel the road of earth life with all its challenges, trials, and tests and come out on the other side a changed human. A better human. I wish we improved without difficulties, but we don’t. We have to walk against the wind,that’s when we find out how strong we are. Although God doesn’t stop the things that happen to us, he is there to help us thought the bad times. Not doing it for us, but making it tolerable, showing us solutions…..I get so weary of folks not believing in God because so many bad things happen here. If he took away our challenges we would nver grow and never learn to depend on him. Loved this…..soooooo much

  16. I agree. Pain changes your personality. Tragedy turns you into a different person. It’s amazing how much we change over the years. Thanks for sharing!

  17. At 42, I’ve gained so much perspective. One thing I’m highly aware of now is a profound respect for people older than me. I have this inkling that they are such wise, forgiving souls and that they offer some light and reassurance on the path to come.

  18. Dogvills says:

    I love this post. It’s the struggle that allows us to shine and come out a better person.

  19. Great quote!! Pain changes your personality rapidly and in such phase we learn things quickly!!

  20. Jonathan Key says:

    Our experiences shape us into who we are today. It’s so important to keep learning and growing even from difficult experiences. Carol really love the quote too!

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