Overcoming Opposition

I got together with a friend of mine tonight...  We haven't seen each other in about 13 years.  The distance has been felt on both our parts, but maybe more so on mine...  I knew there was something that had kept us apart, but I wasn't sure what, and blamed the physical distances we maintained as we both moved our different directions - her with her husband and his work, and me with my schooling.  But deep down, I knew there was more.

Reunion
She emailed me out of the blue earlier this week to let me know she'd be in my area this weekend with her husband on business, and wondered if I would have some time to get together.  Of course I would make time!  I haven't seen her in years - I wouldn't let anything stop me from seeing her at this point. 

Changing Directions

She called me last night to make arrangements for tonight.  I was apprehensive.  I've changed a lot over the years.  I came out of a strict Christian home where I've been reared to be that "perfectly submissive" Christian woman who follows her husband's every minute order, and then went through a women's studies program in college where I learned the detriments of what I'd been taught and how it had worked havoc in my life, and it was at that point, that I did a complete 180 degree turn-around...
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I still embrace my Christian faith, but I also warmly embrace a number of issues and problems that Chrisitanity (as I was taught) and many Christians shun.  I've become a bit of a "black sheep" of my family by becoming open and caring to others they would judge and turn away.  I've become something I used to snub my nose at, and along the way, I've forgotten some of the traumas I experienced that brought me to this point, but apparently, my friend had not.

Background

I grew up in church, spent all my free time there.  I was part of the youth group, part of the visitation group, and attended every service.  I even gave up to half of the little pay I earned as a kid in the offering plate.  Yet, when I went through a hard time, they were nowhere to be found...they had all turned their backs on me, including this friend. 

Success is a Decision

I didn't walk away from my faith at that point.  I was too solid in my faith to leave it completely.  But I did become resolute at that point.  I never felt so alone in my life, but it set my path for me in a way I'm now thankful for. 

At that point, I made my mind up I was going to succeed no matter what they thought or did to me...help or no help, support or no support, I would go on and I would succeed... 

And now here I am, after having put myself through college alone with my son, working odd jobs to pay our bills (jobs back then that would enable me to be with my very young son, like work in day cares, etc.)..and now...here I am working on my Ph.D. and my son is applying to ivy league colleges.

Keep your Eyes on your Goal

My friend met me tonight and brought with her a very sweet gift and card and told me over and over how proud she was of me, and apologized for not being there for me all these years.  You know what?...  I hadn't even thought about it. 

I'd been so busy all these years learning and thriving and growing stronger and brighter.. I'd been busy succeeding and I'd forgotten that along the way people I once loved dearly had turned their backs on me.  All I saw all these years was mine and my son's future and what we were working towards.

Letting go of Past Hurts

Hearing her apologize was a strange thing.  We hugged and I told her that the years had taught me lessons...that I treasure the good friends I've made along the way, and I don't hold onto the hurts.  It's more important to let go and move on - to keep going forward...

Focusing on Desires/Positive

And that's what I've done...move on.  Isn't that what we all need to do to succeed?   Brian Tracy summed it up nicely - "The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire not things we fear.”

Ever since that day that I realized I was all alone, I also realized that I alone was responsible for my outcome and I became determined more than ever to succeed.  I focused my mind on my son and us both succeeding, and I didn't look back.

What have you Overcome?

What have your hurdles been?  Have you overcome obstacles to get where you are today?  Do you have a great success story to share with us?  Please, be genrous with us and share your thoughts below!...  Look forward to reading your stories.

To your success,

Thea