Water is an essential part of my life and a great teacher to me.
I cherish going to the beach, as it empowers me. You may have guessed this through the theme of my blog. I look at the mighty rocks on the shore that stand firm despite the waves which persistently crash against them. The intensity of the tide will vary; and the rocks will be shaken, depending on the water’s strength.
(c) Arianna’s Random Thoughts
One may think the water will always win; I disagree. The water cannot be controlled, but the strength of the rocks can. The rocks don’t give up, knowing that soon the tide will give way and the crashing will stop for awhile.
In life, there will constantly be waves crashing at you and trying to get you to be something that you are not. You cannot control the behaviours of others; but, you can control your’s and how you react to the situation.
Sometimes in my life I have felt like the rock, with the constant crashing of the waves against me. In the past, I hid my talent, myself, and my voice, because I didn’t want to stand out and be judged. I used to try to avoid the crashes, but now realize this isn’t the smartest technique. I can’t wait for the tide to go out permanently, as the ebb and flow of the tides is universal and will never stop. However, I am not letting the crashing stop me from following my journey. I am standing strong against the persistent waves.
(c) Arianna’s Random Thoughts
One of the hardest waves crashed against me unexpectedly about three years ago; instead of succumbing to the water, I have let what I learned from it to motivate me in a positive way.
I was watching a hockey game with a group, and the night was going really well. It was a fun and epic evening where the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team had won an Olympic Championship game giving them a berth in the final. I was so excited! At the end of the evening, I commented to the group about how I was proud of the women.
Then someone responded that females aren’t good at sports and aren’t competitive. This person decided to share their thoughts about this topic in a fifteen-minute commentary belittling women’s overall athletic abilities and participation in sports. I was in shock; as they were demeaning everything I stood for, especially since I am a female athlete. But, I stayed silent, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I focused my energy on the overall accomplishments of the Women’s Hockey Team. Well, I went home and sat in my room, numbed. But, I reached out to one of my best friends who helped me brush off the negative outlook and stand back up.
I truly believe that events occur in your life to teach you a lesson. The lesson I learned from that night was the importance of being you.
Even a strong rock has the ability to eventually crumble to the sand if the waves don’t stop. You can’t control what people will say to you. You can control, however, how you will react: if you will crumble or stand firm and persevere being you. Individuals also need to look for some “like- minded” rocks to hang out with to help dissipate the power of the waves.
I am thankful that this event happened to me, as it made me see the importance of learning to be yourself and to share this with others.
Oh yeah…this is a great post…your voice is loud, clear, and pure…way to go!
Thanks Stephen for the kind words and reblogging it
Hope you are doing well!
Reblogged this on LifeRevelation.
Reblogged you on LifeRevelation
Be encouraged!
Yes yes yes! Love this!
Thanks Amelia! Hope you have a blast in Ireland
I plan to! Let me know the dates that you’ll be over there and maybe we can meet up somewhere.
This is a fantastic post Arianna! That quote by E.E. Cummings is one of my favourites! I loved the analogy of the rock and the waves as well.
Thanks Thamina! The quote is one of my favourites
Glad it inspired you. Hope you are doing well!
I had to share this on my page! this is one of the most encouraging blogs I have read. Thank you Arianna for constantly inspiring me – you are my “like- minded” rock
x
Felicity – you are awesome! Totally we are “like-minded” rocks standing together against the waves. So glad I connected with you. Thanks for being you!
I am glad you persevered and didn’t fall.
That is the way I have always done things since feeling confident in myself.
However, since the stroke, I am not certain that I would not have stood up and voiced my own opinion.
I think, perhaps, it was better that you were there than me.
Scott
Thanks Scott – that means a lot. While it was hard to deal with at the time, Im glad it happened to me because it has taught me so much about life.
I very well could have falled but have been taught to use honey over vinegar (an analogy my dad always says) when dealing with hard situations.
I encourage you though if it does happen to you to use a positive method to deal with it even though it may be tough
Thank you. I can usually temper the dialogue with honey. What I was referring to was the fact that my stroke removed most of my “filters” and in putting them back in, I had discovered that I like saying more of what I think and feel rather than sugar-coating it as I used to.
Sorry for misinterpreting. That is such a good talent to have
I like not sugar-coating things. Its a good skill to have.
No worries. Enjoyed the post.
Scott – do you have any posts (I’m sure you do) about your stroke? I’m fascinated about neuropsych and would love to hear more? I really admire your positivity and strength throughout this ordeal.
Yes, you would have to look back through, though my page on spirituality has some, I am sure.
My earlier ones talked about it too.
If it becomes too much work to look through them, let me know and I will do that work for you.
I’ll go look for them
If I need help, I’ll ask. Thanks. Looking forward to reading them.
This is great, Arianna, and so true! It reminds me of a post I did a while back called “Be You.” I started out the post by saying, “The most courageous act you will ever commit is to simply be yourself.” I truly believe that. Thanks for sharing this! Love your blog and all you do to bring inspiration and light to the world!
Thanks, Jacqueline! You rock! Love the work that you are doing and cant wait to showcase your interview in the series. Thanks again for taking part. I will for sure check out your post “Be You.” I know I would love it
Thanks Arianna! You rock!
Sure thing, Arianna! Happy to take part and so glad to hear that you enjoy the work I’m doing. That means a lot to me! I’m also inspired by you and your blog!
I love this, Arianna! It seems to go hand-in-hand with today’s blog of mine….funny how that happens. This piece of yours is so well written with cleanl. Your thoughts are precise and have a smooth, easy flow. I know how difficult “easy” writing can be. So well done, girl. Thanks for the inspiration and wisdom! xoxo Julia
Thanks Julia! Congrats to you
You are awesome and so encouraging! Blessed to have connected with you. Keep inspiring others!!
I had to learn this lesson a long time ago, being different in health is something that bring the worse kind of talks and demeaning behavior toward me by many “friends”. Not answering those, facing the storm in silence and in my mind turning what was heard or seen into a positive thinking toward those persons has made me unable to get upset or even feel anger toward anybody or any situation. I repeat a Christian mantra that bring me to a level field where the footing is very strong against anything negative.
As for the hockey teams, I have many women friends playing in hockey leagues and there’s nothing weak about them, whatever their age. I seen many sporty type guys end up on their knees after laughing or making an idiotic comment about them.
This is a great article stating a fact of life. When I was young a young lady I knew found work in a bank where I had an account and I remember that every transaction she made had to be looked over by a male assistant manager. 35 years later she was managing the same bank with an all woman staff. She told me about a few incidents where some customer asked to see the manager and could not believe she (a woman) was the manager. The male ago will have to change even more as the times go by.
Thanks so much for sharing! You are such an inspiration. I’m so glad I conencted with you. Thanks for What is the mantra that you repeat?
Thanks for making me smile
Reblogged this on Niltsi's Spirit and commented:
AI truly believe that events occur in your life to teach you a lesson.
Thanks so much for all your support! You rock
What wonderful thoughts…so true. Thank you Arianna! ♥
Thanks Anne! Cant wait to see the updated pic of your smile
I love this. So much. Especially the quote by Schweitzer. Thanks for sharing that and for making sure I saw this. It’s amazing and you were right. I love it!
I knew you would, Rita
Thanks for being awesome and encouraging me on this journey.
Pingback: Exquisite Conflict « Haiga 365
Pingback: The Gold Zebra » Finding the uniqueness in you » Blog Watch: Arianna Merritt, Arianna’s “Random” Thoughts