Change Your Situation

It is often difficult to acknowledge our situation in life. Sometimes it is a coping mechanism to ignore the facts. Sometimes we may not really be aware of how our situation dictates our lives to a certain degree.

Take me. I have experienced first hand, rape, verbal and physical abuse, emotional abuse and degrading relationships. I have also experienced raising a child for 18 years by myself for the most part, working and going to school. I have permanent disabilities as a result of a car accident, so cannot do full, or even regular part time, work. This is not a definitive list of my situation, but it is a basis for discussion.

What would you expect someone in this situation to do? I figured I had the following options: 1. Choose to suffer and whine and relinquish myself to a long road of pain. 2. Choose to do my best to live my life fully, joyfully, responsibly and with the intent that I will improve my situation, even if it is only degrees at a time. Yoga to strengthen and relax my injured body; yard work to feel the earth in my hands and the satisfaction of seeing things grow and change; learning to promote my music even though I can't perform much or tour; be optimistic instead of pessimistic; contribute to someone else's life in some small way. These are things I CAN do! These are things that I must do to keep myself engaged in life!

Don't let your situation, whatever it might be, dictate who you are. Rise above the minimal expectations and stay centered in self-improvement and self-expression. That is how we improve our little corner of the world. What do you think could happen if we all just improved our little corner? It comes first as a way to save ourselves, and merges into a way to save others. Perhaps remaining true to ourselves is the only way to peace. Remember, acceptance does not mean submission.