A few years ago, I shared a blog entry from one of my favorite blogs, 'The Bloggess'. It features my most favorite painting in all the world, The Tightrope Walker (original print found at The Haunted Mansion in Walt Disney World). When I read the words she had written, I instantly empathized with her, as I usually do. I love her explanation of the painting more than words because I feel so many of us have such an alligator threatening our happiness and it's nice to know that we aren't fighting this battle alone.
To read the original blog, go here: http://thebloggess.com/2011/12/tightrope-walker/
I highly recommend every word that this woman has ever written.
The original post was shared 3 years ago. A dear friend shared it with me. I shared it with my husband and now I'm sharing it with you a second time. Andrew has always remembered my sentiment towards this painting of such a strong woman; an avenger that walks past that damn alligator as though it's not even there. It goes deeper than that though, she does know it's there, she just refuses to let it mess with her happiness. Sure, he might make her falter at times, but she always wins in the end because she's much bigger than the alligator in the room. Her fear will always be there but her strength to deal will always reign.
It has to.
For Christmas this year, I received the most beautiful, perfect present anyone has ever gotten me. (I truly have the best husband in the world.) The gift is a necklace of said print, with an antique looking chain. It reminds me of something a girl from the 1920's would wear.
It's a constant reminder to keep fighting my own personal alligator that threatens and I will treasure it always.
What I love most about this beautiful present is that you can't even see the alligator. He's invisible to the rest of the world but she's very much aware that he's there.
You can see it in her eyes.
Any one of you that knows me is aware that I usually have a hard time with New Years. I always feel such sadness come over me once the Holidays are over. Time with family and friends goes by way too fast and suddenly the Christmasy feel that I've had since I was a small child disappears for another year.
I struggled keeping the Christmas spirit this year for numerous reasons that I don't care to get into. The truth is that this year has been a rough one and it's been hard to let go of words spoken or not spoken and events that took place or should have taken place. So with this being admitted, I actually welcome 2015 with hopeful open arms. I know that changes are coming and I am both excited and fearful of them all. My hope is that I can continue to fight through any beast that threatens the happiness that I crave and seek in the coming year. I am leaving this year behind and though I know the memory of it will always be there, I am more than willing to let go of anything that has kept me frozen on the tightrope of life.
I will move forward. I will release anything that is out of my control. I will take that first step and continue on with another and another.
My footwork might be shaky and I might stumble from time to time, but I will not fall.
I will not fall and let the Alligator consume me. He doesn't get to be a staring character in my story.
"…a girl who has won a battle. A girl who appreciates those moments between maulings. A girl who knows all too well the dangers and pain around her but who has made a conscious and complete decision to be furiously happy in spite of it all."
The Bloggess
To read the original blog, go here: http://thebloggess.com/2011/12/tightrope-walker/
I highly recommend every word that this woman has ever written.
The original post was shared 3 years ago. A dear friend shared it with me. I shared it with my husband and now I'm sharing it with you a second time. Andrew has always remembered my sentiment towards this painting of such a strong woman; an avenger that walks past that damn alligator as though it's not even there. It goes deeper than that though, she does know it's there, she just refuses to let it mess with her happiness. Sure, he might make her falter at times, but she always wins in the end because she's much bigger than the alligator in the room. Her fear will always be there but her strength to deal will always reign.
It has to.
For Christmas this year, I received the most beautiful, perfect present anyone has ever gotten me. (I truly have the best husband in the world.) The gift is a necklace of said print, with an antique looking chain. It reminds me of something a girl from the 1920's would wear.
It's a constant reminder to keep fighting my own personal alligator that threatens and I will treasure it always.
You can see it in her eyes.
Any one of you that knows me is aware that I usually have a hard time with New Years. I always feel such sadness come over me once the Holidays are over. Time with family and friends goes by way too fast and suddenly the Christmasy feel that I've had since I was a small child disappears for another year.
I struggled keeping the Christmas spirit this year for numerous reasons that I don't care to get into. The truth is that this year has been a rough one and it's been hard to let go of words spoken or not spoken and events that took place or should have taken place. So with this being admitted, I actually welcome 2015 with hopeful open arms. I know that changes are coming and I am both excited and fearful of them all. My hope is that I can continue to fight through any beast that threatens the happiness that I crave and seek in the coming year. I am leaving this year behind and though I know the memory of it will always be there, I am more than willing to let go of anything that has kept me frozen on the tightrope of life.
I will move forward. I will release anything that is out of my control. I will take that first step and continue on with another and another.
My footwork might be shaky and I might stumble from time to time, but I will not fall.
I will not fall and let the Alligator consume me. He doesn't get to be a staring character in my story.
"…a girl who has won a battle. A girl who appreciates those moments between maulings. A girl who knows all too well the dangers and pain around her but who has made a conscious and complete decision to be furiously happy in spite of it all."
The Bloggess
Love!!! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn! Happy New Year to you too! <3
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