I found this poem sometime ago and posted it back in September of last year. I posted it on my fridge so I could be reminded of its message each day. My daughter liked it and came up with some of her own that I really like too, which I have added as part 2.
Strength and Courage
It takes strength to be certain; it takes courage to have doubts.
It takes strength to fit in; it takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to share a friend’s pain; it takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide your own pain, it takes courage to show it and deal with it.
It takes strength to stand guard; it takes courage to let down your guard.
It takes strength to conquer; it takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to endure abuses; it takes courage to stop them.
~Author unknown~
Strength and Courage Part 2
It takes strength to finish something; it takes courage to start it.
It takes strength to write the words; it takes courage to say them.
It takes strength to be known; it takes courage to watch someone else shine.
It takes strength to join a group; it takes courage to be yourself.
It takes strength to dream; it takes courage to carry it out.
It takes strength to follow; it takes courage to lead.
It takes strength to stand on your own; it takes courage to ask for help up.
It takes strength to have feelings; it takes courage to truly feel them.
~Cami Anderson~
Thank you, Ryan. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to add Cami's version and this seemed like a great way to do it. I was the person you described yesterday. Hiding in the backgound, hoping not to be noticed, never feeling comfortable.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line in Cami's version is the first line. Making the commitment to start and stick with all this was the hardest part.
I like that first line, too. I was so terrified I'd never change, that the "me" I was was all I could ever be in life. When I look back, it seems that I wasn't really living at all during those ten years. I was barely surviving.
ReplyDeleteI'm making up for lost time these days. Sometimes I know my bubbliness can be a little overwhelming to others, but it's like I can't hold it back anymore. I'm making up for some lost time and this time around, I'm really LIVING each minute of this life. No more regrets! No more lost chances! No more living in the shadows - I wanna love, laugh and LIVE!
You two...my god! I've never been over weight by more than about 15 pounds and I am sitting here bawling at my desk. Even if it's not weight, we all have things that are holding us down and holding us back from LIVING (like you said Christie) and for me it was last summer that I began to feel like I was being set free from a lot of baggage, bondage so to speak, walls. Even though I started running about 5 years ago and then had several interruptions (two babies) only in this last year have I realized I actually have dreams and they are worth something. It's a long journey and I thank both of you for your transparency so that others can see that they aren't alone!!!
ReplyDeleteRyan, that poem Cami wrote is now printed of and going in my Nathan! That is one amazing girl you have there!!!!!! :)
Amy, you're right. Even those who haven't struggled with their weight, have areas that they feel hold them back from being who they were meant to be - their "true" selves. I'm so happy to hear that you, too are spreading out your wings and learning to FLY, baby!!!! Make those minutes count! Chase those BIG dreams! Laugh, love, LIVE!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! I love this blog. Your writings give me encouragement.
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