I am sure most people have asked this question numerous times in different settings and circumstances…WHAT IF?
What if
…yesterday’s terrible tragedy didn’t happen?
…I said I love them more?
…there was more that could have been done?
…somebody stopped the hurt from happening?
…I made different choices?
…they chose me?
…I fail?
You cant spend a lifetime on what if, because the reality is….if it was different would you be you…?
Yes you might be less scarred and broken, you might have more or less off…but WHAT IF those what if’s made you more, more complex in collateral beauty? What if all that could have or didn’t, makes you see a reflection of strength and endurance…?
Instead of being stuck in the debilitating “what if” thoughts, you need to choose to interrupt them, change the language of those thoughts and therefore change the negative “what if” I can’t, to “what if” I can;
“what if” I never forget, to “what if” I accept . You don’t have any control over the “what if”, but you do have control over “what is”!
You see the “what if” can be redefined, recreated and positively interpreted to “what is”…
Because of pain-what is true-I can have empathy
Because of storms- what is true- I can see the rainbow
Because of hurt- what is true- I can change how I see, speak and do
Because of trauma-what is true- I can choose to appreciate time I have
Because of loss- what is true-I can decide to nurture beautiful memories I will always have
Because of life being unfair- what is true- I can decide to be fair
You are not defined by the what if’s but
rather by what is…..
What is possible
What is true
What is real
What is the version of myself I want to be
(Despite all the “that could have or should have”)
You are the the interpreter of your thoughts…
So when the “what if’s” overwhelm you again…stop and change the language to…
WHAT IF I TRY?
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. ” – C.S.Lewis
Kind regards
From a “what-if” to a “what is” interpreter
Naomi
“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 MSG”