Dear Friends,
There are a lot of hurting people out there. You may be one of those. Life is hard. I know mine is. I don’t talk about it, because I prefer not to focus on those things. This blog is my escape from it. It’s my place to help me get through the hard stuff. It’s conversations I have with with you, with myself. It’s things God shows me, and writing helps me to process it and organize my thoughts. It gives me vision, courage, and inspiration.
I am writing all of this to say that I do not want anyone to read what I write and feel discouraged thinking that my life must be perfect and how easy it is for me to write all this encouragement with a perfect life and that these things could not help them. I am here to say that my life is FAR from perfect. FAR. What I share is from my own personal journey. It is what helps me through a day.
It has concerned me for some time that someone who was hurting would stumble upon this blog and think my life was perfect and that the things I write about would not help them, that these things would not be for those struggling with job losses, chronic illnesses, disabilities, bad marriages, abandonment, loneliness, financial hardships, or any of the million and one other things we all face in any given day. It is especially for you that I share.
You are not alone. I am here. Others are here. Please stay and know that these words are not written by someone with a perfect life but someone who purposed in her heart and soul to create a beautiful life in the midst of a messy life.
And know this…
We are going to make it.
After going through a major disaster 25 years ago when an almost category 5 hurricane that hit us dead on, the owner of the real estate company where I worked hired someone to come in and talk to us to help us work through some of what we were feeling and to pick up the pieces. She was there because of a catastrophic hurricane, but she mentioned the many other life-changing life situations that can have a profound effect on us, and I had gone through every single one of them in the last 18 months. Every single one of them. As this realization hit me, I also realized that I had survived them all. What I did not know was that the years that were to follow were going to make that hurricane look like a day at the park. But I am still standing. I read something recently, just as the battle was about to get even greater, that poured encouragement into my soul. My nickname is Topaz, but my given name means Palm Tree. It is one of the few trees that will not break in a hurricane. It will bend, but it will pop back up and stand straight again.
We all have a little palm tree in us no matter what our name means.
We will bend, but we will not break.
So when I write about the art of a beautiful life, please know that it is for everyone, but it is especially for those in the midst of a messy life.
Writing on the wall of life,
~Topaz
For your pinning pleasure…
Your posts are always encouraging. If it makes you feel better, I never thought your life was perfect or easy – not because your struggles come out in your posts, but because I’ve been through enough to know that nobody’s life is perfect. I learned something from my in laws and I try to stick by it: Don’t assume, it makes and a$$ out of u and me. I just wish more people would realize that what is on the outside doesn’t necessarily represent the picture on the inside.
Thank you, Ana Lynn. I always try to encourage others. Life is hard. And it is beautiful, too. It’s always good to look for the beauty.
You are so right. Everyone has a story.
Thank you for this post. It came at just the right time, another building block in a process of personal healing, and sorting out of what is unnecessary and what is of value in my life, both inwardly and outwardly. Just today I was making personal decisions about how I move on with life, my story, in a positive way after a very messy year. As I made those decisions, I could feel my inner “palm tree” starting to lift it’s head again with determination and resilience.
I love your writing and am glad I came across your facebook page and then this blog. Thank you for sharing something of your own struggles and catastrophes. Your approach to life is beautiful, and I never cease to be amazed at the inspiring power of words, especially those that drop into our lives at just the right moment.
I can just feel your inner palm tree starting to rise, Gillian. People like you inspire me, the survivors, the thrivers, the people who rise from the ashes, the beautiful souls that God raises from the ashes. It is for you I write and others like you. It is for us I write. I am so glad to have you here and that you are part of our beautiful tribe. Thank you so much for your beautiful words. They brightened my day. Shine on, my friend. Shine on.
Thank u very much Ms. Topaz for this and all. Your posts mean a lot to me… when I read a certain post of urs that hits me bulls-eye, I save it and share it to others as well. This particular one has moved me in ways methinks it was written for me. Again, thank u for encouraging us all. Uplifting our hearts, bodies and minds in this world…. Topaz is the birth stone of November, right? So it’s ur birth month next month… May I ask what day is ur birthday? Mine is on the 10th… Stay happy, lovely and blest. ♥♥♥
That really touched my heart. Thank you for saying that.
And, yes…it is the stone for November. Mine is on the 6th. We are almost birthday buddies. Thank you so much for stopping by to comment. It’s so nice to meet you.
Just beautiful Topaz…
Ya know, I think true encouragement that is authentically given often comes from a source of experience, wisdom, and endurance. By reading your words and your blog, there is an essence of depth that can only come from adversity. Your readers sense that about you- which is why they believe you. Your words give hope to hopeless, and strength to the weak, and light to those living in the dark.
That is your gift. And because you have experience hopeless, weakness, and darkness- you know how to find the light. Your readers trust you guidance toward its glow.
Keep shining my friend. All that you have survived will continue to have a purpose in this place…
Oh, wow, Chris. That was beautiful. Thank you for saying that. You are such a gift, and I am so glad we met. It’s funny you mentioned about that being my gift. I’m reading a book where it talks about your gift, and I have been giving a lot of thought as to what is my gift. I do love to encourage. And I love to observe and notice what makes a beautiful life, a meaningful life, a life lived on purpose. It made my day to hear in your words some of the thoughts that had crossed my mind. Thank you so much for sharing that, Chris. xo
i am happy to learn a little more of your story. I, like you, have weathered much turmoil in my life during the past 5 years and have learned to look for the sunshine through the clouds. It really helps to share along with others who are “battling”. Thank you for your encouraging messages!
Oh, I do hope we can stay in touch, Julie. Maybe we can encourage each other as we keep looking for the sunshine. It’s wonderful to meet you, Julie. And thank you so much for sharing that. I know it’s not always easy to share our stories. The important thing is that we learn to shine no matter what our stories, because when it is all said and done, we all want to shine.