There are moments in life when you see or hear something that profoundly impacts you. At least, I’ve found moments like that in my life. It has been 28 days since my Grandma died. Her passing has brought up so many feelings and memories. My thoughts of my Grandma and the feelings associated with memories of her and my Grandpa have been positive. I was so blessed; I am so blessed to have had them in my life for as long as I did.
Mortality and vulnerability
Understanding that we will eventually die can bring about a deep sense of vulnerability, as it reminds us that our time is limited and not entirely in our hands. Each day brings us closer to this reality, which can lead to feelings of anxiety, anger, and inadequacy. However, this vulnerability provides a chance for personal growth and self-reflection. By recognizing and accepting our mortality, we can start to release negative emotions and focus on living more genuinely. Handling these feelings includes being kind to ourselves, being mindful, and staying present. It also involves taking time for self-reflection, which helps us face and work through any lingering anger or feelings of worthlessness. Ultimately, by going through this process, we can turn our vulnerability into a source of strength, allowing us to live more fully and value each day.
Every person is worth more
Watching “Will Trent” when I’m already feeling emotional is probably not a good idea. But something meaningful was said in Episode 3 of Season 2 that I want to share because it really resonated.
“You and me might have something in common. We wanted to do something meaningful. Maybe because we grew up feeling we weren’t meaningful in and of ourselves.
Trauma does that to us.
Makes us look for things out there, distracts us with external goals so we can avoid the hard work of accepting our own frailty, our own worth.
Every human being has worth, Agent Trent.
Mmm. Even murderers?
Give me a harder one. I didn’t fall off the pastor truck yesterday. Every person is more than the worst things they’ve done, or the worst things that were done to them.”
Making peace with ghosts
So what do we do when we want to be at peace but realize we have been harboring anger and resentment because we let someone take away our sense of worth?
Dealing with our inner struggles often means facing the tough memories of times when we felt let down, treated unfairly, or made to feel worthless because of someone else’s actions—or lack thereof. These experiences can leave lasting scars and make us feel angry or unworthy. Instead of just focusing on healing ourselves, many of us find comfort in ensuring others don’t go through the same thing.
By helping those around us and spreading kindness, we create a positive impact that also helps us heal. As we work to prevent others from feeling belittled or marginalized, we build our own strength and self-worth. This journey turns our pain into a source of power, using our experiences to make a difference and create a more caring community. Ultimately, it helps us rise above our past hurts and turn them into lessons that guide us toward a better future for everyone.
A work in progress
We’re all a work in progress, not a finished masterpiece. Some days will be tough, and it might feel like we’re not moving forward at all. But it’s important to remember that every step is still a step forward, no matter how small. Even when progress seems slow or invisible, it’s happening. The key is to focus on what we can control – our own reactions and responses to life’s challenges.
We can’t change everything around us, but we can choose how we respond to it. By embracing this mindset, we can find peace in the journey, even on the difficult days. And when we look back, we’ll see that all those small steps have added up to significant growth. So, let’s be kind to ourselves and celebrate the little victories, knowing that it’s all part of moving onward and upward.
