My Story, My Ending

“The opposite of recognizing that we’re feeling something is denying our emotions. The opposite of being curious is disengaging. When we deny our stories and disengage from tough emotions, they don’t go away; instead, they own us, they define us. Our job is not to deny the story, but to defy the ending—to rise strong, recognize our story, and rumble with the truth until we get to a place where we think, Yes. This is what happened. This is my truth. And I will choose how this story ends.” ~Brene Brown

 When Brene Brown mentions being face down in the arena I can feel the dirt being kicked in my eyes. I can sense the weight of my burdens forcing me to rub my nose into the gravel.  I can completely imagine myself face down, in the arena, with the world watching.

Well, I am ready to dust off my britches and stand tall. I am prepared to wipe the sweat from my brow, clean up the bloody wounds and tend to my scars.

I intend to not deny the story, but to defy the ending. I am going to re-write my story.

No longer does my story need to detail the years of poverty and being a single mom scraping to make ends meet.  The story does not need characters that walk away or who give up.  I do not need to write on about the amount of stress and worry that my shoulders carry.  I will leave out the busy schedule that never gets a break.  I will most certainly edit the parts that include shame and criticism.

Instead, the story will be that of vibrancy and deep passion.  It will include laughter and joy.  I will write about purpose and gratitude. The experiences that my story will tell shall include a fury of intensity channeled into happiness and light.   The characters in my story will be honest, authentic, trustworthy and respectful.  The tale will be a happy ending where love is the guiding force that themes the pages.

I am ready.

My pen is out and I have a blank page before me.

Write on.