Pieced to Peace
Shattered, but shining.
light is in both
the broken bottle
and the diamond.
-Mark Nepo
“What a time to be alive!” This sentiment would normally carry the most positive of connotations—and I do believe that there is much to hold gratitude for—but there is also an ominous undertone present. We are living in a time where there is a considerable existence of mental health challenges, spurred by a number of stress factors, depression, isolation, continued PTSD, and unhealed trauma. The feeling of brokenness is surpassing the natural expression of humanness and there is a struggle to build the proper bridge to span the gap between the two.
I can relate. For more than a decade, I appeared to thrive in the public eye, but I silently labeled myself as damaged, broken, and unworthy. Trauma + childhood self-esteem challenges made this negative self talk an unfortunate normality. There were very dark periods in my early healing journey, but I had long before learned how to adapt enough to convince others that I was surviving. In reality, I was merely existing, wearing a palatable façade, but secretIy I was shattered internally. From my personal experiences, I am typically keenly aware when I encounter a broken spirit. This time of year is especially hard on many people, and they wander around the masses, wondering if who they are is enough. There is a sadness in the eyes, if you look hard enough (and where else do we look these days, when we are masked up everywhere?!?). My eyes brim with tears thinking of another human walking around barely existing, hoping for just one person to take notice and show an ounce of interest or humaneness.
For anyone reading this that may question their value on this earth, please know that you have always been enough. There is only one you among 7+ billion people on this earth, & your presence is needed!!
I am reminded of my post just before the global pandemic quarantine hit where I shared: “Your value does not depreciate because you have scars. In fact, those scars are an indication that you survived what came to distract you, steal your joy, or even kill you! Your blemishes serve as a reminder that you possess the fortitude to keep going, bloom where you are planted, and thrive in all that you are becoming! And can I tell you something.... those facets make you uniquely beautiful! So shine bright today... and every day... because there is no other light like yours on this entire earth!!”
In recent years, I have began the work to trace back to those pieces of me and, as I gather the pieces one by one, I find more peace in all that I am becoming. I am not a finished product… yet, but I find value in knowing that all of those shattered fragments create a masterpiece that only I can complete.
-TRE
