My Life Isn’t a Cakewalk
by Rochelle Griffin
Do you ever watch people on social media and think that their life seems so perfect? You know the kind…the pictures as they move into their new homes, go on vacations, work from exotic locations, buy their convertible with cash, and never take a bad selfie. All while you struggle in your marriage, your kids are screaming in the background, and you are barely able to pay the bills? It can be a challenge not to become bitter & jealous of what they have and what you don’t.
Have you ever been there?
I totally have. So last week on Facebook, I felt this urge to make a post that got way more attention than I ever expected. I wanted people to know that the life I live now is VERY different from the life I was living several years ago…shoot even different from last year.
Here’s the post:
My life hasn’t been a cakewalk. I have a past. I’m the product of divorce, bullied as a teen, & have dealt with infertility, infidelity, financial ruin, & depression. So whatever you’re beating yourself up over…STOP. We are all a work in progress. Your past does NOT determine your future.
Imagine my surprise when, in just a few days, the post was seen by almost 40,000 people with 3,000 likes, comments, & shares (and no I didn’t pay to boost it.)
What people don’t realize is that the post was only the tip of the iceberg…I didn’t mention my past drug use as a teen, my promiscuity in my early 20’s, my intense jealousy at the beginning of my marriage, my insecurity of not belonging, and dealing with my son’s panic attacks among other things.
I had someone ask me HOW I was able to deal with everything that I’ve been through…how I’ve been able to come thru the other side. While I’m tenacious by nature when it comes to my goals, I answered honestly that up until recently, there were some things from my past that were still affecting my present…things that I wish I could undo.
Of course you can’t undo the past, but you can close the door on it. To do so, I went through something called Restoring the Foundations (http://rtfi.org/) that helped me deal with soul hurts, break some unhealthy soul ties, and close the doors on some of my ungodly beliefs. It was one of the most intense, yet freeing 2 ½ days that I’ve ever spent.
What’s my point in all of this? The point is that everyone struggles…even those who are successful. We are all human.
You also have to keep in mind that what you see on social media is very two-dimensional. You see what people want you to see. You don’t see their past, their insecurities, their mistakes. You see their perfect selfies…that were probably painstakingly taken…hello!
So no more comparing yourself to others. No more bitterness or jealousy with what others have. Whatever it is that you’re going through, there absolutely is more for you.
Your past does NOT determine your future…for which I am grateful for every single day otherwise I’d be in big trouble.
The pain does end. Circumstances do change. Do what YOU need to do to heal and keep taking a step forward. God Bless!
To Living Your Best Life,
Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P
Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.
She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.
PS. If you found this post to be of any value to you, please COMMENT below!
I love your posts, your honesty, & your inspiration! I am not sure how I stumbled upon your fb page, but have shared it with friends more than any other that I follow! Thank you & keep up the great work!
Thank you SO much, Jennifer! 🙂
This is such a welcome reminder! Everyone has a challenge or has faced something in their life, but it’s not something glamorous enough for social media. You’re such an inspiration, and it’s so great to read others’ stories about where they were before becoming successful.
Thank you I needed to see that today. In some ways that post was bout me!
So true and so real I love it
Thank you for shareing.