WHO CAN SAY IT'S NOT A MIRACLE?

I went to see the new movie Exhibiting Forgiveness and when I tell you it was so incredibly raw, important, emotional and beautifully done. The movie’s theme song, Bricks by Andra Day, has been on repeat since I left the theater. I know that if it moved me this much, it will speak to others who are on the DAILY journey of not being a product of their environment, childhood, trauma and challenges in this life. 

Brick by brick 

No foundation 

Building with bricks that we were never given

Can you relate? So many of us have been through so much and have been given little to no tools to live healthy lives. Not being  taught how to cope with the anxieties that life brings. Or how to exist in healthy relationships. Or even how to be financially responsible. Yet, somehow and someway we’re here doing it and not only learning more each day, but applying it. A miracle. 

Painting a picture we never envisioned

We built what we've never seen before

Forgiving when we have never known forgiveness

We’re dreaming beyond what we’ve ever seen personally. Parenting in ways we never experienced up close and personal. And rather than blaming those who had the responsibility to show us, we’re forgiving them by showing up differently and not carrying on the cycle. CYCLE BREAKERS. A miracle. 

Learning to hear when no one ever listened

Who can say we're not a miracle

Learning to heal when no one ever healed or healed us

To those who are making the decision to live differently than what they received. And not just in childhood, but in situations and relationships where it could have been easy to harden but you refuse to not soften. 

You are a miracle. Your life is a miracle. Choosing to make different choices is not normal or small. It’s hard and courageous. And if no one has told you lately, you’re doing a beautiful job. And I love you for that. 

And shoutout to our support. The messages we receive through these movies and songs. The people who have chosen to love us when the ones who we thought should, didn’t. Shoutout to our kids who give us living and breathing reasons to show up differently. Who have shown us what pure and unconditional love is. And even shoutout to the last people in the unhealthy cycle of generational trauma that we chose to break. Forgiving them for just acting in ways that were acted upon them. Bless all of us. Bless all of our situations. 

If it ever gets tough and you need a little encouragement, hit me up (shani@shanicarter.com). I’m always here to listen. 

SHANI