The beast

So my birthday is just around the corner - and let me tell you, these things have sucked for some time: my house caught on fire one year, another year I got dumped (by voice mail, no less), another year I got the silent treatment from my then boyfriend (I like to refer to that stage as "the cold war: serena-style")...and the list goes on. So, perhaps needless to say, but i'm going to point it out anyway - I've been feeling pretty lack-lustre about the upcoming "event".

And then, I read my friend's blog... she's my age - we'll call it "holding onto our 30's" - and she's been diagnosed with breast cancer, had the surgery and is now undergoing the chemo, and losing her hair. This woman could be like me: feel sorry for herself, and wallow in her self pity, but instead - she's showing the grace and composure of what i call "Sur-thriving". You've all heard people say, "you just need to get through it, you'll survive it." or "you're a survivor - you can handle it." but what about the people that face that fierce beast (whether it be cancer, abuse, divorce, loss of a loved one, etc) and not only say "screw you!" and give a profane gesture or two, but actually take that beast, grab it by the ears and drill it in the face with their kneecap...then while that beast is reeling, grab hold of its nostrils (good finger grip up to the second knuckle!) and say "oh no you don't, you're not getting away that easy...I am sure as #@$! (enter chosen profanity or verbal exclamation here) not done with you!!!" This is my friend: she's amazing in ways that I can only hope to be some day. Thank you, my friend - you simply amaze... and bring my self pity to ground. Loving you with the biggest cyberhugs out there!

Far be it from me to offer advice, but I challenge anyone who reads this: Think about the wee beastie that torments you, and think about how you are choosing to deal with it: do you allow it to grow and overwhelm? do you submissively ask it to 'stop' but with no authority? do you swear/leer at it and expect it to back down? or are you circling it, analyzing it and ready to push it back and make it sorry it ever darkened your doorway? Take a look...and sharpen those fingernails. Time to take a good grip.