Results are good, everything checks out except for the following: There are trivial amounts of an abnormality and the source is unknown. You may go about your normal daily activities.
Would you find this helpful on your healing journey or do you see it as a way to hide an underlying reason for what you are suffering with?
When I was in the midst of my divorce I tried very hard to make sure my life looked normal. I did a lot of pretending, some saw through it but other’s did not. As I look back now, I think if I had just let things ride out naturally without hiding my actual feelings I may have made my healing process a lot easier.
Instead I chose to make it look like my life was normal knowing inside that there was an “except for” clause attached to it. Unfortunately, I let that feeling of normalcy be a guide to making some poor decisions. I was living as if the results were 100% what I wanted them to be, when in reality that was far from the truth.
So, am I behind in my healing journey because of that, or am I that much further ahead for recognizing it? When I think back to what I can apply it to I am reminded of a series of questions and answers.
Q: How are you holding up? A: I’m great, thank you for being concerned.
Q: You look like your handling things very well are you ok? A: Ya, it get’s better every day.
Q: Your so strong, how do you do it? A: I have God at my side.
I could go on but will stop at those that were asked the most. The important thing is what all of these have in common. Every question resulted in a normal answer, one that seemed like everything was in control. However, each answer neglected to give the details about the “except for” that I felt with every part of my being. Same questions but honest answers: 
A: I’m great except that I feel like my life is a mess, and I’m not sure how I will come out of all of this.
A: Every day is a constant struggle I need all the help I can get to make it through my day.
A: I need the prayers of everyone I know to make sure I survive this.
The first set of answers were all warm and fuzzy right? Sugar coating makes us feel better and we appear to be strong to those who are watching us survive our tragedy. But are we just hampering our healing and the ability to move on if we are not being honest with how we are actually feeling? Healing from anything can be a very long process and we all do it in our own time. Nothing is cut and dry especially when it comes to getting “normal” results.
My advice to you is, if you want a 100% normal result, put in the effort to achieve it. Be honest not only with yourself but with those around you and let them carry you on whatever part of your journey they are meant to be on. It will be worth it.
If you can relate to acting normal but living with the “except for’s” please share your stories.
Kimberly
Courageous Butterfly 6/13/16
Today’s forecast is clear with a minimal chance of precipitation. The temperature is 70 but with the wind chill may feel like 40. I suggest a light jacket and an umbrella just to be safe. There is a small craft warning until your storm blows over. Take all necessary precautions while traveling to ensure your safety.
Just when you think things are getting better, it happens AGAIN! Of course, we know that is what life is all about. The ups, the downs, the happy as well as sad. I had spent an entire year preparing for something that was to have taken place last weekend, but I was struck down with the flu virus. And not just the 24 hour or even 4 day flu, it was the 7 day tied to the couch illness. One week from receiving my flu shot of course. But the flu is not the purpose for this post today, it is learning that when we are fighting a foe, patience isn’t always the easiest.
Many of the outcomes of my divorce were surprises to me and not what I had expected or anticipated, just at this past weekend. However, the divorce produced new life, new change and a chance to grow and strengthen, as well as this past weekend. I’m seeing a pattern here. Both of these instances were successes in my life and should not be seen as anything less. This time I could see it quicker and more clearly because I knew what to look for.
Out of the Chrysalis 