Brave Enough To Be Bliss

That night in bed, I woke up, reached for my phone and typed these words. I woke up with hope at 3:36 a.m. Hope that I would figure this out. Not just brushing my teeth but loving myself. Maybe not loving myself like God loves me, or like my daughter or some family members or dear friends love me, but I wouldn’t compare it. I would just strive for loving me as I am to me. Loving me for who I know me to be at that moment, in the present for who I am right now. The always and forever imperfect, mistake making, forever learning person who is giving, caring, loving, fun, funny. Who l oves to dance, even though I’m not good at it but might choose to learn to get better. Who may not get to all the things on my bucket list but at least I made one and want to. Who may or may not have a relationship with a man like I want but at least my heart is open to keep trying and I remain a giving caring and loving person. I won’t allow my heart to be hardened because life has pain. Instead, I will know at some point more will come, but I will not dilute the present joy by worrying about that. Instead I will embrace every sunrise, every sunset, every hug and kiss, every glance at a baby or child that lights me up remembering my own, every walk I take appreciating the nature I am just now fully appreciating, every conversation I have with Jesus so very grateful that He loved me enough to sit beside me and help me physically feel his love and give me just enough hope to keep on trying to figure out this thing called life. Yes, life…is…hard, but life…is…good. “ I continued those three practices throughout my stay in Michigan, and even after I returned to Kansas City. Within a couple months, it didn’t really seem necessary anymore but from time to time, I still do it just to prove to myself I can. Whether it was that practice or all the processing through so much of my past or the work I did with Ginger, or all of it combined, beginning to feel some authentic love for myself was really happening. I had also incorporated the practice of listening to The Goodness at the same time which added difficulty because I simply cannot stand still while listening to that song. And most of the time, I end up replaying it when I’m done brushing my teeth so I can then both sing and dance along. After posting the blog below, I received an email from a woman who as a child had been both physically and sexually abused by her father. She provided more proof that healing is possible for all of us. Thank you for this inspiring story. Your words and pictures perfectly depicted your experience, and your metaphors were relatable. Your story gave me the opportunity to reflect on my life experiences and how the times when I felt most defeated brought me to tears but when I stayed on the path, regardless of how difficult it was, the path inevitably led to great rewards. There were certainly times I felt like giving up, but somehow found the courage to keep going. I eventually learned that I was stronger than I thought and with the support of loved ones I was able to make my way to a better place. Ginger Bliss Response: I'm so glad you enjoyed the read. It's so hard sometimes in the midst of pain to recognize what you shared. I really didn't intend to write another blog, but with each photo I was prompted to take the blog was playing out inside me exactly as I wrote it with those words coming to me as the events were unfolding. I really didn't have time for it then or writing it til 2 a.m. last night, but it just felt like I was supposed to for some reason I may never know. I don't even question these things anymore, I just write and hope whoever needs the words, receives them. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me as it does help to know someone is reading and reflecting as sometimes the voices still appear and make me question myself. Whenever that happens though I hear from someone shortly after and feel like that's evidence I'm supposed to continue down this path for some reason. “Go offline, focus on yourself, treat yourself, exercise, go into nature, watch the birds in the sky, drink water, pray, laugh until you cry, cry until you laugh again, dress how you want, set your boundaries. Be free.” Unknown

Life's Like a Hike... (gingerbliss.life)

“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” Robert Byrne

I received more job application rejections during my first three weeks in Michigan than in any month of my life. But with each email I opened, while it didn’t feel great, I just felt deep in my soul it wasn’t what I am supposed to do anyway. At times, I would question myself: was I just telling myself that so I did n’t get depressed, or did I really believe it? As odd as it was for me to say, I really did believe it.

But by November 17, 2023, I was seriously considering giving up on the book. I was tired, fighting some negative self-talk after reliving my past and all my mistakes, and just generally doubting myself and my

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