Your Response to the Storm
One of the main takeaways I want to give my audiences is the message that we ALL have been through adventures in our lives. This means we ALL have a choice to make: After you have gone through a difficult life adventure, how do you decide to respond to those around you?
This past week was an adventure for me and my family. I had a seizure. This meant I had to choose how I would act as a result. I knew my husband as well as my two young kids would see my emotional response to this issue and base their response on that.
Don’t You See the Rainbow?
My 8 year old daughter especially would be looking for a lead to how she would feel since she was the one who found me on the floor after this test of our faiths took place. The day after the seizure, my arm showed very obvious bruises from the fall I had taken at my desk. She pointed them out and showed signs of concern and even fright.
I knew I could go ahead and feel sorry for myself and cause her to lose trust in her mother’s ability to handle life’s little bumps. Instead, I saw an opportunity to show her that a few bruises were not going to shake her mom’s world. I had already seen that the biggest bruise on my arm was actually quite colorful. I quickly stated with a pleasant tone “Don’t you see the rainbow?” I couldn’t believe how quickly her demeanor changed. She now had a smile on her face and laughed just a tad. The bruise was never an issue after that.
The Lesson
One of the most important lessons I believe we can teach our children is that life will not be perfect. Every single one of us will face battles in our lives that may seem impossible at times. We absolutely must be equipped to stay strong in these times and to help others stay strong in their battles. One of my favorite quotes on this topic comes from The Count of Monte Cristo:
“Life is a storm my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.”
Ask Yourself:
How do you respond when life’s adventures storm in? What do those closest to you learn as a result?
How true. “…life will not be perfect.” That is truly a valuable lesson to teach our children and learn ourselves. You can’t hide the fact that you had a seizure. Not from yourself, or your children. How you and they deal with the after-effects speaks volumes. Certainly, you see and feel pain. How you choose to move on after (‘I see a rainbow”) helps you and your children deal with the experience.
I grew up with a perfectionist parent who is also an alcoholic (or at least has alcoholic tendencies). We didn’t get to discuss feelings or hurt or pain. Nor were we offered opportunities to see the rainbows. It’s taken years to unlearn toxic messages I received as a child. I applaud you for being real and authentic with your children. It’s tough when our kids see that we have flaws or weaknesses. Be the best role model, mother, and Michelle you can be for them. They’ll love you now for it and I guarantee that love will be there as you and they grow.
Great words, Michelle.