I remember in middle school around Thanksgiving you could send others a “Turkey Gram.’ It cost money, and getting one was always a cool thing because it meant someone was thinking of you. My sister sent one to me. Inside it said something to the effect of:
“It can’t get any worse, but it can be better than we ever imagined.”
I remember not wanting to show it to anyone, because it felt so private. My sister and my life was not like our friends. We were taking care of my mom who was very ill, on food stamps, getting rides to school or on the city bus. At times my mom was in the hospital and we stayed home alone. We did the grocery shopping, bills, and cleaning at home. It felt like there was no lower to go.
And yet there have been other times in my life when I felt like life sucked just as much.
But it is all a choice.
I can look at that time and think why weren’t people helping us? Why did we have to be so poor? Why couldn’t I just be a kid?
And, yet, I learned so much in that time. I learned to run most aspects of a household at the age of 12. I learned resilience and strength. I learned how to be scrappy. I learned how to be independent.
So I ask you in whatever situation you are in right now that might feel daunting — a job, the pandemic, a relationship…
How do you want to think about it?
Your next step might be better than you can ever imagine. What if that is the energy you put into the world? I’d love to talk to you further about perspective you are holding and get you to:
“Whatever happens, it is going to be better than I can ever imagine.”
