Celebrate Your Ugly Things--Kimberly Sabatini
Let's face it, celebrating the good things in life is a walk in the park. It's easy to get behind success and happy times. What's not to love? I always give *fist pumps* to birthdays, weddings, great report cards, agent signings, new homes, book sales, births, completed runs and chocolate ice cream on a hot day--or any day really.
What's not so easy? Celebrating your ugly things.
And maybe your gut reaction to this weird take on celebrations is to look at me like I'm wearing my underwear on my head. LOL! I understand. Not too long ago, I would have looked at me the same way. But I've had a bit of an epiphany as I wrote and rewrote my debut novel, TOUCHING THE SURFACE.
Life altering mistakes are meant to alter lives…
I could talk to you about the silver linings I've had to embrace while coming to terms with the death of my Dad. Or any number of things that drove me to the creation of SURFACE. But the real answers are not in the details. They in the long view--the big picture. And perhaps that is why they are so hard to see clearly.
I used to think that when bad things, hard things, uncomfortable things happen--it must've been because I'd done something wrong. Now I try (try being the operative word) not to think like that any more. Instead I imagine I'm looking at the big picture of my life through a small window--just a little peep hole. Like this…
When I can't see the expansive whole, because my hole is to narrow, it doesn't mean my life is small--just my vision for it. And I'll be honest, I'm not sure if I believe there's a good reason for every bad thing that happens OR there are no wrong decisions, just wrong attitudes. The truth is--I don't think it matters--the end result is the same. As Newton would tell you--two oppositely charged objects attract. I've come to believe I need both the positives and the negatives to alter my life for the better.
So, as 2013 comes to an end, I'm going to look back and make a conscious effort to celebrate my ugly things. I may not always appreciate them right out of the gate, but as far as I know, I've got time to figure it out.
Happy New Year and don't forget to celebrate your ugly things.
What's not so easy? Celebrating your ugly things.
And maybe your gut reaction to this weird take on celebrations is to look at me like I'm wearing my underwear on my head. LOL! I understand. Not too long ago, I would have looked at me the same way. But I've had a bit of an epiphany as I wrote and rewrote my debut novel, TOUCHING THE SURFACE.
Life altering mistakes are meant to alter lives…
I could talk to you about the silver linings I've had to embrace while coming to terms with the death of my Dad. Or any number of things that drove me to the creation of SURFACE. But the real answers are not in the details. They in the long view--the big picture. And perhaps that is why they are so hard to see clearly.
I used to think that when bad things, hard things, uncomfortable things happen--it must've been because I'd done something wrong. Now I try (try being the operative word) not to think like that any more. Instead I imagine I'm looking at the big picture of my life through a small window--just a little peep hole. Like this…
When I can't see the expansive whole, because my hole is to narrow, it doesn't mean my life is small--just my vision for it. And I'll be honest, I'm not sure if I believe there's a good reason for every bad thing that happens OR there are no wrong decisions, just wrong attitudes. The truth is--I don't think it matters--the end result is the same. As Newton would tell you--two oppositely charged objects attract. I've come to believe I need both the positives and the negatives to alter my life for the better.
So, as 2013 comes to an end, I'm going to look back and make a conscious effort to celebrate my ugly things. I may not always appreciate them right out of the gate, but as far as I know, I've got time to figure it out.
Happy New Year and don't forget to celebrate your ugly things.
I SO needed this post this morning, Kim. I've got an ugly thing I'm going to start celebrating ASAP.
ReplyDeleteThat makes me so happy--hope your ugly turns into something amazing you just weren't able to see. ((((hugs))))
DeleteI've always liked the motto, "What doesn't kill me makes me tougher." But rather than being made tougher, I've learned that the ugly stuff has made me more tender, more compassionate.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful thought. I like that a lot. <3
DeleteI love this post! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. <3
DeleteThis is a brilliant post and something I've been working hard on, too. The ugly things do give you perspective and that is part of what makes you a fuller and stronger person, so they are important to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to celebrate the ugly things, but you're right about seeing beyond them. Looking to see if they can turn into something else. I'm working on that too.
ReplyDelete