A Story
It's a quick one. Some time ago, while scrolling my social media pages, I came across a status update from a friend of one of my daughters. They were teens at the time . It was the usual melodrama of which most (if not all) us females can raise a hand to and say "Guilty as charged!" But one sentence really caught my attention. She said, "It's over. I'm broken. He's broken me." It made me angry. Not at the boy though. At her. I wanted to shake her and say, "Screw him, honey. Don't you dare give him that kind of power over you!" Then I reminded myself how easy it is to be objective when you're just a spectator. So, I wrote this instead. It's for any girl - grown or young - who's ready to hear about her strength. It's for after a well-deserved pity party, that pint of Haggen Dazs , the retail therapy, and the cry fest. Ready? Here we go...
Broken
https://www.deviantart.com/daniel-rocal/art/Broken-Heart-396777338 |
We hear this word so often in
Be Unbroken
Indulge me and my need to share this message for anyone who is feeling like that six letter word: You are not broken . You are unbreakable, unbroken. Things get broken, humans get hurt. That may sound like semantics, but it's psychology. To suggest that you are broken - that someone has broken you - is to say that you are nothing more than glass, or a toy, or any inanimate object that can be turned into non-working pieces. You are not that.
You are not glass, or wood, or plastic. You are flesh and bone and mind and body. Yes, something may break your bones, puncture your skin, butyou have been made , designed to heal.
You are neither fragile, nor delicate, nor incapable of fortitude. Words will not destroy you... unless you give them the power to. Your heart will continue to beat, air will still fill your lungs. You will inhale and exhale as you have always done. Your lungs and your heart are telling you -you are not broken .
You are not glass, or wood, or plastic. You are flesh and bone and mind and body. Yes, something may break your bones, puncture your skin, but
You are neither fragile, nor delicate, nor incapable of fortitude. Words will not destroy you... unless you give them the power to. Your heart will continue to beat, air will still fill your lungs. You will inhale and exhale as you have always done. Your lungs and your heart are telling you -
Truth
Carry lessons, not burdens on your back or bitterness in your heart.
You may not know it
yet, but in your mind, you're building your 'perfect-for-you' guy with the help
of the 'not-right-for-you' guys.
Thank them for their contributions to your growth, because now you know what you don't want from another human being.More
importantly, though : you are building you. If you are building yourself with
jagged pieces, you will be a jagged human. You're worth more than that. So much
more.
Thank them for their contributions to your growth, because now you know what you don't want from another human being.
Indomitable Spirit
So, embrace your hurt and your heartache. And if you're not ready yet, it's okay. Come back to this, or things like it every day until you don't need to. One day the hurt and heartache will become your badges of courage, a testament to your strength. You'll bear those invisible scars with pride and dignity because you have let nothing, no one, break you. No one broke your spirit, it is indomitable. No one has undermined your self-worth, stole your ability to be kind or to care. You've recognized your own faults, and forgiveness has set you free.
You are unbreakable.
My Why
For all the things that make me a woman - from the obviousness of biology, to my roles as a daughter and mother, my privilege of having a great network of female friends and acquaintances, and my own experiences in the subject, it has been my passion and joy to use my platform to encourage and inspire other women through my heroines.
The women in my new series, Welcome to Chance, are all so different, and yet they each find their own strength against whatever obstacles I throw their way. They are a nail-biting, rollercoaster joy for me to develop as the series grows and I hope you'll enjoy their journeys as much as I do. Book One, Mae's Cafe is now available HERE. Book Two, Rosabelle's Way releases on July 31st, and Book Three, Georgie's Secret, in September. Four through Six will follow on a similar schedule. -xoxo
OurRafflecopter is open, so you can go online and enter! The Giveaway runs through July 25.
You can watch a video about our giveaway in Movie Theater or on YouTube. (I appreciate LIKEs and shares on your social media pages.)
The Monthly Giveaway page lists all the prizes. Enter often and tell your friends about Romance Gems.
The women in my new series, Welcome to Chance, are all so different, and yet they each find their own strength against whatever obstacles I throw their way. They are a nail-biting, rollercoaster joy for me to develop as the series grows and I hope you'll enjoy their journeys as much as I do. Book One, Mae's Cafe is now available HERE. Book Two, Rosabelle's Way releases on July 31st, and Book Three, Georgie's Secret, in September. Four through Six will follow on a similar schedule. -
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RELEASING JULY 31ST |
Don't Forget the July Giveaway!
This month we're having fun with Beaches and Book Boyfriends!
(P.S. My book boyfriend for all time: Fitztwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Tell me yours in the comments!)
Our
You can watch a video about our giveaway in Movie Theater or on YouTube. (I appreciate LIKEs and shares on your social media pages.)
The Monthly Giveaway page lists all the prizes. Enter often and tell your friends about Romance Gems.
Powerful message!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank YOUđź’•
DeleteSuch a great message. We often need to remember. Thanks for posting it. And good luck with that series.
ReplyDeleteYour message is very powerful. I kept wondering how to respond because I don't really agree with you on some of it, but that is the coolness of a group of women--it's not necessary that we agree! The new series sounds great.
ReplyDeleteLiz, I so appreciate your honesty! And I agree, having differences of opinions or perspective is a great thing. I enjoy opportunities to hear different views, so I'd actually love to hear what part or parts didn't resonate with you on this subject.đź’•
DeleteAnother lovely post Elsa. I’m sure your stories are wonderfully uplifting!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bonnieđź’•
DeleteSuch a beautiful and powerful post, Elsa! "Carry lessons, not burdens on your back..."
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful to have a group of women who lift each other up. Together, we are stronger.
Thank you đź’• It really is such a beautiful group, I learn and grow thanks to each of youđź’•
DeleteVery thought-provoking! Men might have physical strength; it's the emotional strength that makes women such a force.
ReplyDeleteTruth! đź’•
DeleteThis is lovely. Thank you for sharing and your uplifting words. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kara đź’•
DeleteA very powerful statement, Elsa!
ReplyDeleteđź’•đź’•đź’•
DeleteAbsolutely awesome post, Elsa. I'm so glad I was able to get online and read this. Simply profound.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, Elsa. I wish every young woman could read it. Although you speak to any age I believe young women are more apt to let themselves feel broken.
ReplyDelete