I grew up in a world that was all about gloom and doom.
“Society is going downhill.”
“The economy is horrible. You’ll never be able to earn money.”
“You kids can be glad if you have your own field to plant potatoes, salad and carrots on in order to survive.”
“The golden years are long gone.”
Those were common phrases around the dinner table and left me with a constant anxiety of growing up and living life.
How would I be able to live in a world that was so hostile, so broken, so void of light? How would I ever be able to have my own apartment, buy my own groceries and afford my own life? How in the world would I survive?
This fear of everything and everyone led me to a lot of wrong choices and so much pain, but it also gave me the immense drive to search for the sprinkles of light, the kindness and the joy. I needed to see that there was fun in this world, that happiness truly existed and that love, actually, was all around.
I’m glad I looked because what I found was so much more amazing than anything I could’ve ever dreamt of.
What I’ve found were not only sprinkles, but rays, not only kindness, but unconditional devotion, not only joy, but outright giddiness.
Yes, the real world can often seem harsh and unkind, but it’s up to us to find the magic, the warmth, the support. Today, I’m not completely healed from my fear. I’m not supporting myself just yet. I’m still scared of many things, but I have my tribe, the people I love and who love me. I have adventure, I have joy.I have myself and I have plenty of evidence that there is hope – for everyone.
It’s out there, you know. Everything you seek, everything you need.
The real world is gentle. The real world is miraculous. The real world is beauty, adventure and fun.
The real world has your back. Always.
More Posts About The Real World
Deborah asks if you’re living in the real world here
Karen talks about the contrast between the real world and what she is and was living here
Elizabeth writes about your reality here
Lila shares her thoughts about the perception of the world here
anne… magic…. a wonderful thing!!! my post is up too…..
http://karenknapp69.wordpress.com
Hey Anne. What a lovely picture. The one I’ve used on my Real World post is one I took in Bali when my husband and I renewed our wedding vows. The staff at the hotel where we were staying decorated it for us, it was just lovely. http://www.pinkpowwow.com/?p=484
Oh, Bali makes for such great pictures, doesn’t it? It’s such a peaceful and beautiful place, I couldn’t get enough of it. Renewing your wedding vows there sounds magnificent.
I’m noticing if I copy the permalink and paste it here it doesn’t seem to want to work but if I get the shortlink and paste it’s ok
Anne-Sophie, I love that line at the end – The real world has your back – great stuff. My post today is called What’s your reality? http://elizabethmilligan.com/2013/11/14/whats-your-reality/