Using Pain to Create a Hero: Guardians of the Galaxy in Review

Marvel keeps bringing us amazing films, and Guardians of the Galaxy is no exception. If you haven’t seen any it yet, it is about a band of misfits who come together for the good of the galaxy. Hints the name: Guardians of the Galaxy.

As the plot develops, it is revealed that each character has experienced hardship during the course of their lives. The lose of loved ones, experimentation, torture and even abduction from their home planet. Not all of our own personal stories reflect these fictionalized events, but there are elements of the story we can all relate to. We all experience pain during the course of our own lives. We each have a backstory that has molded us into the people we are today. There are grains of truth in these characters that reflect the grief we have felt and experienced during our lifetime.

I found it interesting that the characters are filled with so much anger, yet are able to find strength within themselves to rise above their situations and help save the galaxy. No one would have blamed them for giving up. Everything in their lives had be set against them from the moment of their conception. However, they did not let their circumstances effect their actions. They chose to do what was right. To be the hero.

I believe we can apply this lesson to our own lives. The pain and hurt from the past does not have to dictate the outcome of our future. The past is just that. The past. What is set before us is still to be written. A blank slate. We are the ones in control of our lives and we decide the direction in which our life will proceed. We may not save the galaxy, but we certainly have been given the ability to save ourselves.

Feelings of Joy

Being back in the place where I grew up, I have been experiencing feelings of nostalgia as I look at  enjoy the decorations, wrap gifts and watch our favorite family Christmas movies. I am reminded how wonderful my childhood was, and how much love the four of us shared together through the years. I am so blessed to have a family that is exceptionally supportive and loving. It has been an amazing journey to come back home for Christmas and be able to enjoy time with my family WITHOUT anxiety! It is freeing to be able to feel joy spread through all of me, without the hinderance of my disorder. I feel so much deeper and love even stronger!

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! If this is a difficult time for you, reach out to those who are closest to you and and let them know. Love is stronger then you may think, and it will bring healing. Christmas symbolizes the birth of our salvation and with that, the security of peace amongst the chaos.

The importance of support

When you suffer from anxiety, as I do, it is vital to have at least one person on whom you lean on during your most difficult times. A person who will love and accept you, just as you are. Someone who knows the way you need to be soothed during a panic attack, or knows just the right words to string together to form the perfect verbal cure for your affliction. Facing anxiety alone is never a wise decision. Believe me, I tried for years. In my own ignorance of my disorder, I felt that I could take care of myself. I thought that if I could not handle my own anxiety I was weak. However, as time has passed, and I have discovered more about anxiety, I realize now that my refusal to reach out for help, whether medical or emotional, was my true weakness. My pride blocked my road to healing for so many years. Once I was finally able to reach out to those around me, I began to heal and find my way back to myself.

My family has truly been the strongest support in my life. This includes my darling husband, loving parents, my supportive brother. My in-laws have also supported me in times when I needed a shoulder to cry on or an ear to yell at. I would not be this far in the healing process without them.

I believe that God has been beside me throughout my entire journey, however, I was too stubborn to accept His guidance. I thought I would be able to face it myself and I knew better than He did. My way was best. Of course, I was wrong. Over the years I heard the faintest whisper to reach out and tell people what was really going on instead of hiding behind plastic smiles and forced laughter. Only when I decided to listen to the whispers and expose myself to those around me, did I receive the greatest blessing I could have ever received. Support. My biggest fear was that people would think I was crazy or creating drama in my own mind. I thought people would change their opinion of me and stop wanting to be around me. These thoughts couldn’t have been further from the truth. As I opened up about my struggle, more and more people opened up about theirs. I no longer feel alone. I feel loved and accepted. Isn’t that what we all want? Don’t we all want to be loved for who we are, and not who we pretend to be? It is one of the most incredible feelings to experience when you express your struggles and find acceptance waiting for you.

I encourage anyone who is hiding behind false happiness and fake joy to admit you are struggling to at least one person. Let someone know that your life is not as perfect as you let on, and you need someone to be there in your times of weakness. Be brave. I know you can be!

Finding Strength in the Face of Pain

I frequently discuss the growth I have made over the past several months in regards to my anxiety. However, I am going to share with you, honestly, about the struggle I experienced today. Even though I have come a long way in my growth, I still have days in which I am filled with anxiety. The majority of my morning Today I was hovering around a 6 out of 10 on the anxious scale, even though I had taken my medication. Not very comfortable. I had a lot to do at work and I didn’t want the anxiety to get in the way. I confessed to my assistantI was struggling and she was a wonderful support and recognized when I needed a little extra help. I worked hard to remember my coping strategies but it would have been very difficult to do yoga in the middle of my classroom! But I have to admit, I don’t think the students would find it out of my character! 🙂

I did a lot of deep breathing and tried to open up my chest. I also poured myself into my students and fully engaged in the day. Even though it was a rough for me, I came away feeling satisfied with my students performance. My kiddos always make me feel better!

I learned that I will experience anxiety from time to time, however, that does not mean I have to be crippled by it. The medication is not there to stop it 100%, and I would not want it to be that way. It is there to help me to be able to fight back instead of become completely consumed. I work hard to learn ways to cope with this disorder so that on my bad days I am strong enough to win!

If you ever find yourself facing your pain, remember to Stay strong my friends! You are strong, confident and capable of anything! Never give up.