In times of stress, you can choose to deal with your problems, or you can lash out. You can become what you fear. You can hurt others, shield yourself from pain, and put on a strong offense. Instead of being hurt, you can take the reins of power and control your own narrative.

The rush of adrenaline might feel good.

When you look in the mirror who do you see?

How did you feel as a kid in growing up? When you saw the arguing, the drinking, and experienced all the fear, how did you feel?

Each of us has a decision to make as we go about our day.

We can choose a path of recovery, or we might choose anger, fear, and lashing out.

Brené Brown, author and podcast host, has said, “Strong back, soft front, wild heart.”

We can stand up and be strong, but if we put our defenses up and aren’t open to being vulnerable, then we’re not helping ourselves.

When we take the time to go through the process of healing, we have choices to make each day.

Choosing to embrace our vulnerability and working through the trauma that we suffered through is not easy work. The choice is always up to you: What do you want to do?

How will you treat your friends, your family, and coworkers?

Will you repeat the dysfunction you grow up with, or will you break that cycle?

The choice has always been up to you.

Like what you’ve read? Be sure to check out my other posts in my Let Go and Be Free blog.