The ultimate measure of strength lies in our ability to confront life’s storms with unwavering faith and declare, “I refuse to stay down.”

A PRAYER

One of my favorite prayers by Clarissa Pinkola Estés from WOMEN WHO RUN WITH THE WOLVES captures this sentiment perfectly:

“Refuse to fall down. If you cannot refuse to fall down, refuse to stay down. If you cannot refuse to stay down, lift your heart toward heaven, and like a hungry beggar, ask that it be filled.
You may be pushed down. You may be kept from rising. But no one can keep you from lifting your heart toward heaven, only you. It is in the middle of misery that so much becomes clear. The one who says nothing good came of this is not yet listening.”

A GIFT

I learned this incredible prayer from a student back in my ballroom dance days. It arrived at a time in my life when things were not going well, and as a gesture of kindness, he brought a note with his best wishes and this prayer. Steve had no idea that his handwritten note would become a source of solace and inspiration to me for many years to come.

In times of struggle, whenever I faced the choice between falling down or rising up, I took heed of the line:

“You may be pushed down. You may be kept from rising. But no one can keep you from lifting your heart toward heaven, only you.”

And without fail, I would lift my heart in faith and allow myself to rise.

A REBIRTH

Storms are inevitable; challenges will come, and there will always be people or situations that try to knock you down. But when they do, REFUSE TO STAY DOWN.

Because those who do not fear their ashes will rise from them and, like the phoenix, be reborn again. It is only in these moments that all becomes clear.

For as Clarissa wisely said, “The one who says nothing good came of this is not yet listening…”

Keep Seeking,