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The good life...

Novelist Mary Ann Evans, who wrote under the pen name George Eliot, said, “What do we live for; if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" Having no knowledge of her, I searched her name and read a bit about her life. Very quickly, I felt akin to her through the romantic relationship challenges, spiritual questions, and love of writing she experienced.


Evans lived from 1819-1880 and while her memoir could have been quite powerful, she didn't write under her own name, so it's unlikely she could have openly shared her own painful life story. And that reminded me of my own decision to write and publish my painful life story. While it would have been easy to write it under a pen name or in other ways separate it from who I was, for me writing it as a memoir was vitally important to prove to myself that I no longer carry the shame of my past and to show others that they don't need to either. In other words, I wrote it for the purpose of trying to make life less difficult for someone else who might read it. Brave Enough To Be Bliss


Similar to how Evans may have questioned on multiple occasions, have you ever wondered when the so-called "good life" was going to begin for you? If so, this quick Instagram video may provide some surprising information.



While I have made more than my fair share of mistakes in life, I have also made it a priority to care for other humans. In my memoir's third chapter, "A Reason to Live," I wrote about the night of my failed suicide attempt and my efforts toward trying to find a reason to live. And by the end of the chapter, I share what I had found in this excerpt.


"I decided Jesus must have kept me alive so I could make sure no one I came into contact with would ever feel as alone and unloved as I felt. I would see the people behind their outer shells. I would see the pain they hid just like I did. I would reach out to them, even if it was just by saying hello or smiling at them. I would see them; they wouldn’t pass by me without being acknowledged. I would notice the pain in their eyes; I wouldn’t necessarily understand it, but I would see it and if I could help, I would. I would do the best I could as a human to exhibit the type of acceptance and love that Jesus would offer if He were here walking this earth. He would see their pain, He would care it was there even if He didn’t fix it, He would believe in them, and most of all He would simply love them. I may not be able to do much of anything valuable on this earth, but I figured I could do that. I surmised Jesus kept me alive so maybe I could help keep other hurting people alive."


And while it may sound like a noble aim, living the next three decades of my life with that sole purpose for living did little but lead me to continued misery because I am human, not a perfect human like Jesus was. It wasn't until I learned how to be a healthy human, not aiming to be a perfect, self-sacrificing one, that I could learn how to have healthy relationships with other humans. And it wasn't until I could model healthy behaviors that I could truly help other hurting humans in a way that could inspire more lasting relief versus temporary solace.


My purpose for living became much more real and honest, GB Real in fact, and that, I believe, is my saving grace. I got out from behind the mask of perfection and shared my good, bad, ugly, and beautiful life so other imperfect and hurting humans would not only know but feel they were not alone and they were loved after having read my book. It is the real, imperfect, and yet oh so loving and healthy relationships I now have that are my greatest accomplishments, my greatest joys, and that truly make this hard life worth living. And at the end of my life, I believe that is what I will be remembered for. I believe that is the difference I will have made. I believe that will be the legacy I will leave. And that is why I believe I will have lived a good life.


If you've been investing your time, energy, and money in things that aren't supporting the good life you desire and deserve, then let's talk about that. The answers we find may surprise you, but regardless of what they are, we can work together to find the tools and resources you need to start living a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life today. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars. You don't have to get into the depths of your pain. You can take one step forward. You can share one thing about your life you'd like to improve. And I can share one thing you could do to help yourself move toward a healthier relationship with yourself and others. Free 30-Minute Email or Vitual Appointment





 
 
 

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