2 Little Words

Truth be told, I currently have 237 articles that I am working on. I had my outline for this weeks article in my head, but then during this mornings shower after my daily workout, a new article appeared. While most of my ideas come via the shower, as that is the second place I meditate the most, the words "I know" kept ringing out. Over and over again, I kept hearing "I know". So, let's get into it..

We all have our truth. But truth changes over time. And it should. It shows that we have matured and have grown. Chances are what you believed years ago, no longer rings true for you. But what I am talking about today, is the truth that never changes. And you'll know truth by how it feels. The things that you were taught probably hold little to no value as you have gotten older. For me, I know most of what I learned in school, was but a glimpse or partial truth that I know today. But my truth is found in 2 little words. "I know".

So what do I know? I know that life can be pretty fucking tragic. After spending 35 years working in mental health {20 years as a crisis counselor}, I have seen some very dark things. We will lose everything. And eventually, we will take our last breath. So your "I know" becomes your truth.

I know...

What it is to hold my wife's lifeless body in my hands.

What it's like to lose a million dollars.

To contemplate suicide as a viable option to end chronic pain.

To be told that I would be dead within 2 years {only to still be alive 35 years later.}

What it's like to be homeless.

To have my daughter go missing for a year, only to be informed that she had died.

My truth is laced with ungodly pain that no one should have to deal with....But by the grace of God, most of my life I have been meditating. I think that has kept me alive and optimistic. Optimistic? In all ways and in all times.

Because that pain has been so great, I also know that today the sun is shinning and it is beautiful. That if we have air in our lungs, we have a chance. That faith can override fear if we are prayerful. And most important...my pain has been my greatest teacher. There is nothing greater than my will to keep going. To cultivate that mindset. To go to that place in your mind where anything is possible.

That is my truth. That is what I know. And my prayer today, is that you know it too.