Overcome

As a little girl, I was not taught that the sky was the limit when it came to this life. I was taught that I very much had limits, many of which were completely out of my control. What wasn’t decided for me by the religion of my family was then decided for me by my parents. My education, my career, my husband; all chosen for me by those who swore they “knew better”.

I had no real aspirations because I was not encouraged or even allowed too.

I grew up believing that I was not in control of my own existence. My existence rested on the opinion of those I lived with, and the consensus was that I was nothing special.

Fast forward some years, and those feelings still get me sometimes.

Not that they should. I am 24 years old now. I have an incredible husband, a beautiful home and farm, seven published books, an Associate of Liberal Arts degree, and a life that I couldn’t be prouder of.

But a lifetime of hearing that you aren’t good enough, you aren’t smart enough, you aren’t pretty enough… that just doesn’t go away. The feelings of being inadequate don’t just disappear. The everyflowing accusations that you are always the problem, don’t fade away quick.

You have to constantly remind yourself of things that you have overcome. Things that you have accomplished. Things that you have set goals for and achieved.

Things that no one did for you, but that you did for yourself.

I would not be near where I am if it wasn’t for my Jack always reminding me that I was capable of doing things that I never dreamed I would ever accomplish.

What a wild feeling to have someone truly believe in you after a life of nothing but constant discouragement.

I wish the same for all of you. That no matter what your past has looked or felt like, that you too can overcome the odds and become whoever you wish to be, and that you have someone like my Jack to help you along.