How’s everyone doing? If I could talk to you personally right now, would you say you’re okay? I remember a time in my life when I argued with my therapist that I was not okay. She would look me right in the eyes and say, “Cheri, you are okay.” to which I would reply, “No, I am not okay!” At the time, I felt nowhere near okay, but she assured me I was. Sometimes, she would even tell me that I had to be okay, and that I couldn’t allow myself to quit now.

Looking back on those days, I can now chuckle at how adamantly I argued with her that I was not okay. She knew I really was, and that she needed to help me find my own strength and empowerment, so I could see and feel that. I was so lost to myself for a while that I didn’t know what to do or how to do it. I was completely overwhelmed. A dictionary definition of overwhelm is, “To give too much of a thing to (someone).” I was lost to myself because through the years I had given so much of my own power away to others! I was blessed with an excellent therapist, and she did not take my power away, rather facilitated me finding my own.

I remember a point in this process where I was just so furious at everything that was happening in my life. I raged at the “unfairness of it all” and the true ways I had been victimized; then I shouted at my Higher Power, “This cannot be the end of my story! And I don’t want to just survive, I want to thrive!” I had no idea how to thrive at the time, but that anger fueled my own power, and strength arose from the core of me. Through one moment, intention, decision, and movement at a time, I held to the uncharted course in utter uncertainty. I had learned there were no guarantees. I had to learn to trust myself again, which facilitated more strength to take yet another step, and continues today.

If you are reading this, your story is not over either. I encourage you to keep on stepping. Ask yourself what rises in your center, your core? Where do you find strength/empowerment? If you’re not feeling okay, then please don’t hesitate to reach out for support in the many forms it exists. I believe in you!

Cheri Thomas

Cheri works as a Peer Support Specialist for RI in Arizona. She has experienced loss and grief which has led her to write for the masses to bring voice to those in similar situations. Cheri possesses a deep passion to share with, encourage, and inspire others on what she calls the Journey of the Heart.