Yes. They truly are.

We can go forward with our life and recoveries, even though someone we love is not yet recovering.

Picture a bridge. On one side of the bridge it is cold and dark. We stood there with others in the cold and darkness, doubled over in pain. Some of us developed an eating disorder to cope with the pain. Some drank; some used other drugs. Some of us lost control of our sexual behavior. Some of us obsessively focused on addicted people’s pain to distract us from our own pain. Many of us did both: we developed an addictive behavior, and distracted ourselves by focusing on other addicted people. We did not know there was a bridge. We thought we were trapped on a cliff.

Then, some of us got lucky. Our eyes opened, by the Grace of God, because it was time. We saw the bridge. People told us what was on the other side: warmth, light, and healing from our pain. We could barely glimpse or imagine this, but we decided to start the trek across the bridge anyway.

We tried to convince the people around us on the cliff that there was a bridge to a better place, but they wouldn’t listen. They couldn’t see it; they couldn’t believe. They were not ready for the journey. We decided to go alone, because we believed, and because people on the other side were cheering us onward. The closer we got to the other side, the more we could see, and feel, that what we had been promised was real. There was light, warmth, healing, and love. The other side was a better place.

But now, there is a bridge between us and those on the other side. Sometimes, we may be tempted to go back and drag them over with us, but it cannot be done. No one can be dragged or forced across this bridge. Each person must go at his or her own choice, when the time is right. Some will come; some will stay on the other side. The choice is not ours.

We can love them. We can wave to them. We can holler back and forth. We can cheer them on, as others have cheered and encouraged us. But we cannot make them come over with us.

If our time has come to cross the bridge, or if we have already crossed and are standing in the light and warmth, we do not have to feel guilty. It is where we are meant to be. We do not have to go back to the dark cliff because another’s time has not yet come.

The best thing we can do is stay in the light, because it reassures others that there is a better place. And if others ever do decide to cross the bridge, we will be there to cheer them on.

Today, I will move forward with my life, despite what others are doing or not doing. I will know it is my right to cross the bridge to a better life, even if I must leave others behind to do that. I will not feel guilty, I will not feel ashamed. I know that where I am now is a better place and where I’m meant to be.

Quoted from the app Language of Letting Go.

Find recovery resources at Hazelden.

Friends, I was invited to speak at TEDx Traverse City's Pitch Night on Wednesday, February 28.  My pitch is entitled Igniting Courage: Summoning Resilience When Adversity Roars.

My kids and I have been on a journey of tremendous heartache, yet we have chosen to summon courage and heart. We have found sunshine in the darkness. And our compassion for others and love for life has grown exponentially. It's time for our story to be heard. And it's time to offer a glimmer of hope for anyone who is in need of a little more courage, a little more resilience and a little more life.

Your support would mean the world to me as I walk onto that stage. I feel terror, exhilaration and a strong summoning all at the same time. My emotions surrounding this feel tumultuous.

It has taken a village for my kids and I to come through the darkness. I invite you, my amazing village of friends, family, and colleagues, to come and once again lend your support. Each of you means the world to Cole, Avery and I. Thank you for your prayers, positive intentions and for bravely stand by our sides. I hope to see your warm eyes and big hearts in the audience. Goodness knows, I will need it. With deep breaths and lots of courage, Lindsay ❤

For more info and the pitch maker line-up: http://tedxtraversecity.com/pitch-night/

The glow of the sunset and the glow of my love for these incredible kids.

#ridingmybikewithbothhandsfree #wearechanging

What if we started embracing the word no? What if we cut out the things that are seeking to keep us from the abundance of life that is available to us? The things that are hurting us. The things that drain us. What if we just give back the baggage that someone else is trying to give us? We can say no. We can say no to whatever isn't working for us. And we can say an abundant yes to what is.

#no #boundaries #boundaryline #yes #abundance #counseling #counselorlife #livetrue