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"If anything, this year has been a true test of our character. Many have struggled to hold on to sanity with the ongoing social distancing and lockdowns. Abigail shares about how we are able to, not just make it through a storm, but thrive in it! Starts with a realisation, add in some discipline and finish it with a loud “BRING IT!”
by Abigail Nimbalker
Ever woke up feeling a bit uneasy? For some reason, when you woke up, you knew that your peaceful days were over.
The signs were all there, subtle, but nonetheless, there. You take a deep breath as you welcome the day, then you look in the mirror and just know a storm is brewing.
“Red sky at morning”, a phrase sailors often use on high seas to indicate the days of good weather are long gone. The entire ship would now have to brace themselves for a storm that is coming.
Let’s be honest, shall we? This year has been really horrible in many ways, in fact I’d go ahead and say it’s been the most depressing one yet.
My forms of escapism have evolved to eating my heart out and Netflix, when they used to be working out or reading - things that truly gave me joy.
I chose these short term routes of happiness instead of a joy that usually sustains for a longer period.
Working out and reading non-fiction books always give me a sense of purpose and accomplishment. But, you know what, with the immense workload, I’d rather be brain dead than “work” for my happiness.
After four months of indulging in unhealthy habits (like eating my heart out. It’s especially difficult when you have a sweet tooth like me), I finally started exercising again.
Once I was done, I pulled out my laptop and started writing this article. It hit me: Do I prepare my ship for an impending storm or do I simply go down with my ship?
Out in the open sea when it is a red at sky morning, I have a feeling the people working onboard wouldn’t stop until they have done everything they can to prepare for an impending storm.
Even if they needed to rest, they would choose to work their asses off to ensure they are able to survive another day, that the vessel carrying them to shore would be safe from the storm.
I don’t know about you but I suddenly felt a sense of shame rising from within. When a storm comes, nine out of ten times, I’d probably run from the fight.
I’d justify my flight by saying, “I’ve already fought my whole life, I am beat. I’m going to sit this one out”.
But you know what, every time I refuse to brace myself for impact due to the brewing storm, nine out of those ten times, I have sunk.
"But in times when I finally decide to prepare for every possible hit of the coming onslaught, more often than not I find myself not just surviving the storm, but thriving in it."
So, my question to you is: You wake up and it is a red sky at morning. What do you do? Do you greet the day with a smile and a firm stance saying, “Bring it!” or do you shy away and say “Please, God, no! Maybe another day?”.
Honestly, there is no right or wrong response. But, what I have learned is that preparing for the storm during those moments of frustration brings about a sustaining peace and rest.
As I sit here covered in sweat from my intense workout, I have started analysing my routes of escapism and find it rather lacking in terms of sustenance.
Thus, once I am done with this article, I am going to get up and brace myself for the coming storm.
Like those sailors, I am going to start preparing structures and get this ‘ship’ (myself) in order.
Gonna whip myself into shape and face the day ahead. Why now? Because I’ve just seen the signs. My days of good weather are long gone, a storm’s brewing for me - right now, it’s a RED SKY AT MORNING.
And as I welcome this day, now better prepared, I confidently say, “BRING IT!”
By Abigail Nimbalker
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