For those who have been following this blog, you know I have been writing about my thoughts on the affirmations in the book “On the Path: Affirmations for Adults Recovering from Childhood Sexual Abuse” Written by Nancy W. We are on the third affirmation which is: I notice and appreciate my perseverance.

I didn’t get good sleep last night, but I am going to try and write out my thoughts as clearly as possible. If is a bit confusing, I apologize, lol.

There have been many times in my life that I have wanted, and tried, to give up. To call it quits. I have had a painful life, as well as complicated. I have attempted suicide nine times throughout the years but thank God the last several years have been looking up for me. I do notice and appreciate the perseverance that it has taken to keep on keeping on. I can’t say that I have always had that perseverance, but I am on the road to healing now, and each new morning is a new chance to create something new. A new belief system, a new perspective, a renewed strength, all because today, like every new day, is another chance. Yesterday may have been hell, but I can tell myself, “Today is a fresh start.”

We never know when our time is going to come, so each of us needs to live our life today, as if it is our very last day. I try not to future-trip. Worry about what is going to happen. We can’t control what happens, but we are in charge of today. Sometimes just getting out of bed, making the bed, getting dressed, brushing my teeth and hair, is a huge accomplishment for me. That seems like nothing, but when you deal with depression, anxiety, and memories, sometimes it is all you can do to accomplish the simple things.

Some days are harder than others. Sometimes I have very productive days, and other days I don’t. But each day I try to make an effort to persevere. To rise about the depression, calm the anxiety, and heal from the memories that have haunted me. It’s not easy at times. In fact, it never is easy. But as survivors, we literally went through hell and back, and came out stronger. If we can survive the trauma we have faced in our lives, we can certainly take the next step, and face a new day. Even if we fail today, tomorrow is another chance. So, we just have to keep trying. We don’t blame ourselves for a failure. We just pick ourselves back up and try again.

I think that is all any of us can do. Anyway, those were the thoughts that came to my mind when I read this affirmation. I do notice and appreciate my perseverance.