WARNING. This post is full or corny analogies.
No one is alone. Sure, no two people have the exact same life. No two individuals experience the exact same order of events. However, the difficult things that we feel? Lonely, overwhelmed, exhausted, abandoned? Those feelings aren't unique, but oh boy can they cut us down.
There are so many ways to cope with those feelings. Some people throw on their shoes and go for a run. Others may call up some friends and chat. Finding ourselves in a low place is often the reason we reach for our art, whatever form that may come in. Others still, prefer to retreat from the world, giving themselves the space and quiet to process before heading back into the thick of things.
Then, though, there are people like me. In my world, when it rains, it pours, and floods, and floods, and floods.
For people like me, we need a raft. We need something to hold on to in order to survive the flood. We build up islands of safety. We wrap ourselves in handmade blankets and the grace of our loved ones. We sip soup from our favorite mugs and take long hot showers. We read books and watch movies to give our minds a break from our own world. We read about God and forgiveness or listen to music that feeds our souls. We do all of these things and we still feel like we are drowning.
The thing about islands though? They're almost never alone. Islands form in chains and exist in clusters. They are separate from the rest of the world, unique and special. Despite their separation, we still SEE them. We still love their uniqueness and feel special when we get to be a part of that space. I see you and your island. I am watching you from my own island.
Did you know that islands can sink? Well, now what the heck are we supposed to do?! Our safe zone is gone! Our shield has holes and our soft landing is wiped out! The things that used to help aren't helping and the people we rely on don't understand and the dang grocery store is too full of people and the soup is all gone!
Stop. Stop panicking, and swim. I hate this analogy because I am a terrible swimmer. I sink when other people float. I have to work twice as hard to stay afloat than others do. Maybe this is why picturing life like this works for me. When my island sinks, I am swimming straight for yours. When your island sinks, I'll be here, calling for you to come my way. When you are ready, I'll send you off to your clean slate of an island to start again. It is always worth starting again.
Island life is hard. What we need to remember is this:
Just because you live on an island, just because you are separate and foreign, just because things can change so quickly and sink so fast does not mean that other people don't want to be there with you. You are exceptional. You are a feast of creativity and depth. You and your incredible space can be frightening and challenging for the people around you. That does not mean that they do not want to be in that space with you OR that you are not worth the effort.
So this is me, waving at you from the island that I am rebuilding. You've got this. We can do it together.
M
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