Why Is Your Life Is Worth Recovering?

 I would prefer to be writing about a jovial topic, but these are unquestionably dark times right now.

     Of late I have had various discussions that have a common theme running through them— “starting over.” It appears there is some fear, ambiguity, and anxiety around the idea of starting over post the paradigm shift of Covid:19. All of which is justified. For those that I have talked with, they are facing starting over with far less than what they had pre Covid:19, financially and materially, even mentally in some cases. Emotionally drained and savings in some cases, have been depleted (for those that were fortunate enough to have savings), and in one instance, housing abated resulting in having to move back in with parents. This is life-altering stuff. Realities that some can never fathom, and realities that others clearly don’t care about. But reality for those who are experiencing it nonetheless. One person stating, “I am not thinking that I am going to make it through this.” 

     Recovering from any life altering experience can feel impossible and insurmountable until you do it. [attributed to a quote from Nelson Mandela]. And you can do it.  How? I don’t have an answer to that question precisely largely due to not knowing what your individual circumstances entail, nor do I have a way of knowing what you are willing to do or not do.  But to state the famous quote/question [attributed to Sevyn Streeter], “How bad do you want it?” Seriously, how badly do you want it? And then why? Why your rebuilding, recovery and survival is necessary to you is absolutely paramount to your process. 

     Recently, I was watching a new, and might I add, amazing sci-fi series, #LovecraftCountry, and with all of its “phenomenalness”, not a word... I know. But with everything that is phenomenal about this series, there’s a scene where a once enslaved ancestor, named Hannah states, “Her great-great grandson will be her faith made flesh.” Unfortunately, this abbreviated insertion of this quote misses the mark. Capturing the polarizing impact of the imagery and circumstances in which Hannah was making the statement is lost here, but the impact of the statement rippled throughout the airwaves! Don’t believe me... just check Twitter.   Nevertheless, the statement pulled at the heartstrings of so many because of the power of “why.” Why we and why generations of people—ancestors have endured what oftentimes seems to be indicative of “hell” on earth and yet (in many cases) restored their lives. And it’s inevitably due to preserving something they deem larger than themselves. Even though they may not live to see it. And that’s what faith is. The evidence of things hoped for, but not yet seen. [attributed to biblical scripture: Hebrews 11:1].

    I have to tread lightly because there is a great deal of rhetoric circulating from certain groups perpetuating this idea that some deus ex machina is imminent and going to solve the problems of today. Not so. 

     What I do know, is life brings with it, an assigned birth certificate, and its own agenda over which most of us have little control, largely depending on the conditions into which we are born. Now don’t go, “but Oprah, Barack, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tyler Perry, etc., did it.” I realize there are numerous inspiring Phoenixes rising from ashes stories of people gone from rags to riches. But despite that, the “average” person is striving to just not lose what they have worked hard to obtain. And another stark reality is that many have inserted themselves into and grabbed a piece of an “American Dream”, minus a billionaire status—a dream that did not include them to begin with. And that in and of itself has proven to be a major feat.  Now fast forward into 2020, many of them are being crushed under the destruction caused by this pandemic.

     As scripture plainly states, “Man that is born of a woman is of a few days and those days are full of trouble.” (Job: 14-1). I find a great deal of truth in this. And if not for faith serving as my personal compass, recovering, starting over, pulling up by the bootstraps, in many cases, minus the boots; could never be accomplished. And even when one exercises detachment from religious constructs, exercising perseverance, building resilience, and resurgence from failed experiences requires faith in something or someone even if its in themselves. And regardless of ideological differences, now is not the time to abort your faith. It’s time to dig in deeper. Faith for me is one of many benefits of my belief in God. Yes, someone that I can’t see compels me to press in against the things that I can see that unquestionably, look adversarial and insurmountable, just like Hannah’s great-great grandson. So, I do advocate for faith as a tool in your toolbox towards recovery post this pandemic and any other life altering experience. 

     In my latest book, “Becoming The Person You Told People You Were”, there’s a chapter titled, “You Can Always Start Over.” What I dispel in this chapter it that you do not have to lie in the bed you made. Despite being made to think or believe otherwise. And though Covid:19 is not a calamity of our own making, deciding to give up because of it would be. 

Coming

Out

Victorious 

 In Spite

         Of The

Darkness 

©️ 2020 by Christie Y. Shaw