Walking Through the Muck

I've seen quite a few quotes regarding our struggles and how they make us stronger. That is so true and yet there's more. When we choose to go forward in the face of our adversity, when we know that we can't live the life we were living and we just have to follow a new path, when we do that in spite of the fact that it is difficult, we are not only getting stronger, we are learning what we need to know in order to live a meaningful life.

I listen to people who have "made it". They are successful in the sense that they are living a life they love, doing something they love. Often times they are standing in front of an audience telling their story, telling about the path they walked to get where they are now. If you watch the audience, and listen to their comments afterwards, it is fascinating. Everyone is in awe of this person. They are buzzing about how great their life is and how LUCKY they are. Lucky? Did they just listen to the same talk I did? I didn't hear anything about luck. Usually I just heard about a very difficult life, or a very painful situation that the speaker chose to move out of. I heard about faith, persistence, perseverence, listening to and trusting oneself as you move forward. I heard about a journey that felt like walking through a swamp with pockets of quicksand. And I heard about coming out the other side - about the sweetness and joy of reaching the extraordinary life on the other side. I heard how the journey through the muck was worth it, not only because of what they found on the other side, but because of what they learned while they were in the muck. The rumblings in the room after the talk are proof of how worthwhile the journey is. Everyone is buzzing about reaching the other side. Today I want to remind you that the journey through the muck is a beautiful, difficult part of the journey, and it is worth every step. Choose to keep moving forward!