Many of my civilian friends say, "I could never do what you do..."
Which is what? Say goodbye to my husband without (or with) tears in my eyes? Spend three months holding a newborn non-stop because her heart condition makes it dangerous for her to cry and my husband is in Iraq and the rest of my family is hundreds of miles away?
I've said it, too.
Just the other day, I was talking with my husband about a friend who had a toddler and a newborn to deal with while her husband was in Iraq. And I started to say, "I could never do what she does..."
Then I stopped myself and realized, we do what we have to do. We are as strong as we are.
And us military spouses? That goes double for us. My mother came to visit and she was so incredibly impressed with the strong women she saw. Many of whom would never describe themselves that way.
Sometimes life hands you a difficult, sometimes even tragic, situation. Trust that when the time comes, you will be as strong as you need to be.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Women are like tea bags, you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water."
Instead of sitting around waiting for life to test your mettle, however, find yourself a positive challenge. Prove your strength to yourself in an arena of your choosing.
Think about the last time you said, "I could never..." Maybe you have a secret desire to say, "I CAN?" I could never climb a mountain? Well, find a climbing gym and plan your trek. I could never be that positive? Start by looking for one good thing everyday. I could never start a business? Brainstorm your plan and become an entrepreneur.
Pledge it right here, right now, in front of us! It does not have to be monumental...big or small, just tell us how YOU are going to challenge yourself and then take that first step.
I for one am done saying, "I could never..."
I CAN write a book. And I am going to start writing for fifteen minutes every single day.
So, what CAN you do?
