Grief is a game changer. Trials, tragedies, rejections, plans that never come to fruition, you name it, it can be heavy. I’m sure you’ve seen that person who is carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. It’s as if they have a backpack of every negative thing that has ever happened to them. Maybe that person is you.  You can recognize them, by the slightly slouched back, the droopy shoulders, the frown etched into their face like it was chiseled there. If you look at their eyes, perhaps the light has gone.  Life is weighing this person down!  Sometimes that person carries so much junk in their proverbial backpack it falls out, usually when they run into someone and have a conversation or an exchange.  Sometimes what falls out is downright ugly, maybe mean.  

What do you do in this moment when you cross someone that drops the aftermath of their baggage with you?  Do you toss it back to them with a slice of your own burden? Do you toss it in the garbage and forget about them because you have enough to worry about? Maybe you  gently push it aside and try to engage or understand that person?  Life can be tough.  It can bruise and scar people.  We all have scars, and some of us still have open wounds. Some people’s wounds never close up and heal.  This is where friendship and understanding come in.  Now, I’m not suggesting a counseling session in the middle of a grocery store when someone is rude to you in the produce aisle.  I am suggesting that you think before you lash back if you have a not-so-great encounter.  Maybe that person just lost a loved one, a pet, their job, or the last of their dignity.  A smile and a sincere “hope your day gets better” can go a long way.

In my interview section, I will be interviewing women who have had  many different trials and have moved to triumph, or at least able to put one foot in front of the other daily..  Some are downright gut wrenching. Other interviews will be of women who have taken a leap of faith and made a major change in their life.  Check back often and feel free to leave comments or questions for these brave women.