If you had to name a strategy you use for getting back up when life knocks you down, what would it be?
This is a stupid question. It really is. A strategy for getting up?
What the fuck is the alternative?
What am I supposed to do? Lie there? Then I’m going to be run over. I’m going to be kicked and pummeled more.
Ask HOW you get up—that’s a question.
I get up by holding my beloved’s hand .
I get up by talking to dear friends who listen to me over and over.
I get up with the help of my family
I get up by blogging—by vomiting out all my angst and frustration and whining.
Ask WHY you get up—that’s a question
Because life goes on. It just does. You may not want it to, but it does.
Ask WHEN you get up—that’s a question
After you’ve absorbed the blow. After you have taken enough time that you are not a weeping mess. If you need to be a weeping mess—make sure you have your supports. Make sure you say, “yes there is something you can do. I need someone to listen to me without judging me.” “Yes, there is something you can do , you can tell me what you remember about my loved one. Years after my grandparents had passed, I found a friend on facebook who had wonderful memories of them. It was so kind and so wonderful to share those memories again.”
Get your support in place. If you’re lucky enough to have people who want to help—ASK THEM FOR HELP.
If you aren't lucky enough go to a clinic, call a hotline. People want to help--they really and truly do.
Maybe the above is a strategy? I don’t know. But it isn’t like people have an emotional emergency kit for crises.
Hope tomorrows Elul thought is better.
PS yes, I know I missed a day. Yesterday was regarding work. I don’t blog about work. Period.
This is a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it, and thanks for your comment on my blog the other day. It's a refreshing way of looking at things: how, why, and when to get up, instead of what I usually do, which is a relentless focus on how I should be moving faster.
Also--I love that your categories are Beatles lyrics. I will definitely be exploring your archives!
Posted by: gingerandlime | August 21, 2010 at 08:44 AM