Ranjana TN

Week #3: Vulnerability

It was a rough week and a lot happened. One thing I can say with certainty is that I practiced vulnerability like I never have before. I have a lot of bruises to show for this which is going to take a while to heal. I seem to have been both the tornado and the life it usurped. It’s going to take me time to gain even a semblance of balance and for the dust to settle. I have no idea what I or my life will look like when that happens. The hardest part to swallow is the collateral damage I seem to have left in my wake.

My therapist says that this week has actually been a breakthrough for me and all those involved and that I should trust in my ability to navigate what’s ahead with grace. I’d like to believe her. It’s not easy.

Value for week #4

I decided on Thursday that the value for the fourth week will be grace. I’d like to show myself grace. I’d like to show others grace. When I think of grace, I think of goodwill and the will to do good. I think of mercy, of benevolence. I also think of drawing strength from something larger than myself because I don’t quite feel up to what’s ahead.

When there are human emotions stemming from hurt and misunderstandings involved, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds and lose sight of what’s important – kindness, empathy, and benevolence – for oneself and others. Maybe it doesn’t even matter what I’m going through or where the path leads me. Maybe what matters is that I approach each day and everything it brings with grace.