The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.
~Ernest Hemingway~
~Ernest Hemingway~
***
I saw this quote somewhere over my Christmas vacation in Vermont.
And it was like someone switched a light on in my brain. My heart.
The world breaks everyone.
In fact, for the better part of 2011 I felt like a shattered vase.
I was yelling frantically at everyone not to step on me further, as I tried to pick up pieces of myself before they got crushed completely. Some pieces were sharp and when I picked them up, and it hurt all over again. The pieces of me? This vase? They will never fit back together as they were before. I cannot unlearn harsh realities. I cannot un-break myself. But I have glue.
In fact, I have Crazy Glue!
(I think the brand is typically spelled “Krazy” but the perfectionist in me cannot bear to spell it that way on purpose).
My Crazy Glue is made up of several components.
3 parts snuggles with husband
1 part working out
2 parts girls night
1 part snuggles with my puppies
2 parts long conversations with my Mom
1 part work
1 part writing
1 part singing at the top of my lungs
2 parts laughing until I cry
1 part letting go
1 part time on the beach
1 part tears
Slowly, I am being put back together. Slowly, the fog that hung over me is lifting. I am incorporating the new pieces of me – the broken ones that have been glued together – back into my whole. I am moving forward. As I have come to realize, what else is there but putting one foot in front of the other? Changing our expectations. Letting go of what we truly cannot change.
I am feeling stronger. I am returning to someone that I can recognize when I look in the mirror.
I am broken. But in the broken places – I am strong, because I have my own personal Crazy Glue.
Beautifully written!
Simply beautiful!
You continue to be inspiring and amazing!! xoxo Hope that girls night part will be happening the end of the month!! love you girl.
Very inspiring and beautifully written!
Yay for your Crazy Glue!
What a fanatastic analogy. Love it!
So beautiful. An I love that quote so much. You are crazy strong 🙂
This is great, just super!
Insightful and beautiful. I am proud of your strength! We are all broken, yes. It's how we deal with it that matters.
what a well written honest post! and a good reminder to all of us.
great quote!
-Kimberly
http://kabersblog.blogspot.com