Like a Phoenix

A friend of mine sent this piece of writing to me tonight and it took my breath away. I felt like it was written just for me. It will likely feel that way for some of you, too.

I do not define myself by how many roadblocks have appeared in my path.

I define myself by the courage I’ve found to forge new roads.

I do not define myself by how many disappointments I’ve faced.

I define myself by the forgiveness and the faith I have found to begin again.

I do not define myself by how long a relationship lasted.

I define myself by how much I have loved, and been willing to love again.

I do not define myself by how many times I have been knocked down.

I define myself by how many times I have struggled to my feet.

I am not my pain.

I am not my past.

I am that which has emerged from the fire.

For me, it's all about rising from the ashes. We are all like Phoenixes in that respect; that is, if we choose to rise.