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  • What It Means To 'Rise Above' and How It Only Makes Us Better

    HAVE SOME FUN TODAY - What does it mean to Rise Above? There are many images that come to mind when thinking about those two words; like literally keeping your head above the rising waters or a phoenix rising from burning ash. Whatever it is for you, it certainly means to overcome. And isn't that something we all share as a part of the human condition.

    Little Help, Please?

    It's a day-to-day, moment-to-moment human experience, rising above. Sometimes it means just getting by the next 20 minutes and sometimes it means trying to survive drowning in the mire of something bigger than you. Whether we are overcoming and rising above what is within ourselves, or an obstacle that has been set before us by someone or something; rising up is literally elevating ourselves up and over whatever is in our way. It's those knock-you-to-your knees, bruise-but-not-break you moments that we've all had. And somehow we all go on.

    Just like moons and like suns, with certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I'll rise... - Maya Angelou

    All We Are Is Dust In The Wind 

    A good friend will remind you that the sun will still rise in the morning and the moon will still crest every evening, and all of this will happen regardless of what is happening to you. It's a powerful thing to remember that we are small. Our insignificance and smallness can be a gift when the enormity of our problems feel soul crushing.

    When we rise above that which is in our way, it takes but just a glance below to see the smallness of what we are leaving behind. Like a view from a first class seat at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, the perspective changes when you broaden your view. Rising above, literally and figuratively, will always change your perspective. 

     

    Take Your Universal Truth And Stick It Where The Sun Don't Shine

    Rising above the struggles and challenges in our lives is a character builder, but who the hell wants to hear that when the walls are closing in and the other shoe has dropped. When I'm reeling in the mess and the hurt, please don't remind me that this too, shall pass and that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger (Thank you, Nietzsche). That's the last damn thing any of us wants to hear, even if it's a universal truth. A study out of the University of Buffalo discovered that experiencing some diversity in our lives creates resiliency and has a positive impact on our overall happiness and life. 

    Skip the clichè advice from your well-meaning friends and learn to "lean in" and let go. Instead of fighting the struggle or resisting the experience, simply release. Think of "leaning in" like putting your whole face and body boldly into the swirl of a storm, the wind and rain coming at you in full force, and just being open to whatever is next. You will not break, but you may fall. And that's okay. There's beauty in the fall, even if it hurts. 

     

    The Beauty In The Pain 

    Surrender. It's ok to feel the struggle and the pain, but don't let it define you. It's just a part of your story, it's not the whole story. Lean in to the storm and let go. It's like saying, "Ok, what's next?".  It's then that you'll rise above. Like a balloon that's escaped the clutch of a small child, you will waft into the light breeze of the blue sky and be "above" that which has been in your way. 

    There is no greater threat to the critics and cynics and fear mongers than those of us who are willing to fall because we have learned to rise... Brenè Brown

    When we rise above and remove our obstacles, fear and biggest naysayers, only then do we really have access to the possibility of joy. Author and speaker Brenè Brown says it's then that we rewrite the narrative to our story. What will be your new ending? 

     

    Hello, Beautiful 

    There's a chance you're gonna get a pretty kick-ass view of the world as you float on by on your way to rising above. Soak it in, savor that moment. When you let go of enough of the shit that's been weighing you down, you'll see the magic and the beauty that's always been all around you.

    Around here, we call that philosophy Have Some Fun Today. Savor the moment, grab the chance to fill your day with something remarkable and spectacular. It's okay to freestyle in your life once in a while... what's possible if you do? That's the whole point of HSFT. 

    HSFT is all about exploring the different ways in our lives to find joy, love and that little bit of magic. Rising above is a great way to get there... 

     

     

     

    Written and contributed by HSFT writer Rebecca Doubek 

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