Do you know you are a survivor? Are you aware of your own potential to overcome any and every situation? Me neither, not really. I can look back and see different moments I never imagine I would survive.

My son died in 2006 and I never thought I would live through it, much less go on to share that pain and help others through losing their own children. In 2007 I got pregnant with another son and was sure I would die, he would die, or both. We made it through and he’s a thriving adolescent. In 2016 I went into rehab and survived a suicide attempt. I literally tried to die and here I am surviving. Last year my Dad died, two friends died, someone I sponsored died, two of my dogs died and it feels like a big part of my spirit too. But again, I’m surviving and on some days I even think I’m thriving.

I live every day being a support for the staff around me and the members I encounter. I’m still the “strong one” for those who need it and every day I push forward. This is you too. You’ve got a long list of things you’ve survived even when you didn’t think it was possible. No matter the situation, whether you thought it possible or not, you have survived and you are now thriving. Don’t let your mind try to tell you anything different. You are a survivor and will overcome anything this year has to offer. You live in limitless potential. Revel in it!

Sarah Deats

Sarah Deats is the Arizona Outpatient Support Services Manager at RI International and the Hope Inc. Stories Inspiration Engineer. Her goals are to make a connection with everyone that she can while building community, spreading hope, and sparking change. She believes that while life may not be easy, it is never lived alone.