My past has not defined me, destroyed me,
deterred me, or defeated me;
it has only strengthened me.
Everyone has a decision to make when it comes to the after-effects of hard times. You must decide whether you will allow what has happened to define you, destroy you, deter you, defeat you, or warrior up and use what has happened to make yourself stronger.
While it is true that life has a way of testing you past your limits, the final result of what has happened to you is always up to you. You can throw in the towel and feel sorry for yourself. You can allow it to define you and defeat you, or you can use what has happened to make yourself stronger and more determined to succeed. It is always easier to declare defeat and give up, but will that lead to the kind of life that you want for yourself? Probably not.
Not many people live a charmed life where everything comes easily and goes smoothly. Most of us were not born with millions of dollars, the ideal face or body, perfect health, etc. No card player always receives a great hand. As the old saying goes, it is not the cards you are dealt, but how you play them that makes the difference. It is not important that you win every hand in a card game, but that you win in the end. And that never happens to those who declare defeat or give up.
Likewise, your past does not define you. Neither can it destroy you, deter you, or defeat you, unless you allow it to. Life always offers everyone choices. You choose your path. And while that path you choose may not always be smooth and easy, you always have the choice of taking a different path. Nobody is forcing you to stay on any specific path until the end. If you don’t like the way your life is going, choose a different path.
You must define yourself; never allow other people or negative events define you. You must have the courage to make the difficult decisions, even when you don’t feel like doing so. If one path is not satisfying you, choose another.
Believe me, I do understand how the negative events in your life can haunt you or depress you, and make you want to give up, but those feelings are temporary. You must keep going until you get out of the mental fog and depression. Only then can you make a rational decision concerning what to do next. If you simply give up, you are allowing life to make your choices for you. And you should know by now that if you allow life to make your decisions for you, you are most likely not going to enjoy the outcome.
Screw your past! The past is over. Whatever hurt you or tried to destroy you is behind you. Like the fabled phoenix, you must rise from the ashes of the fire that burned you. You must emerge from the flames a stronger and wiser person than you were before. Rise in victory over everything that has tried to hurt you and destroy you!
Yes, I know it takes time to heal from the past, but that does not mean that you must continue to dwell on the hurt, the betrayal, or the disappointments. Give yourself time to heal and then allow whatever has happened to you to make you stronger and wiser. Don’t let it define you or defeat you!
Warrior up, stand up, and say, “MY PAST HAS NOT DEFINED ME, DESTROYED ME, DETERRED ME, OR DEFEATED ME; IT HAS ONLY STRENGTHENED ME!” Never surrender and never give up. Refuse to give any power to the hurts, betrayals, and disappointments of the past. Your life is not over yet, so get your ass up and start living the kind of life that makes you happy and provides you with the inner peace you seek. Warrior up!
