A borrowed entry

I discovered a new artist (by accident) yesterday. Her voice was so captivating that I had to stop and listen....so this a.m. I let one of my exam distractions be a quick Google search for her website....and here's a copy of her journal entry that I "borrowed" to share with you. I would invite you, too, to check out Mica Roberts....

"Perhaps strength doesn’t reside in having never been broken…but in the courage required to grow strong in the broken places."

In April of 2007, I began to share the message that my father taught me. The words "You Only Fail When You Quit" have become the thread of not only my career but, my life.

You see, I have many broken places within me, places invisible to the eye, places that can be covered with a smile, a laugh or a quick witted response that deflects a truth….

After a very long day of shooting the video for "Things a Mama Don’t Know", I went back to my hotel and didn’t bother to take off my make-up. This wouldn’t normally cause any heads to turn in LA. Of course, normally my make-up wouldn’t consist of a rather large black eye. I was so tired that I didn’t even think about it. I was so emotionally drained from the shoot that I failed to notice that the man whom I rode in the elevator with was staring at me, at my rather large black eye. Once I realized that he was looking at my eye, I said "Oh, I was in a video today and I forgot to take my make-up…" My voice faded as I realized that he wasn’t listening.
He was just staring at my eye.

I got off of the elevator, walked into my room, entered the bathroom and gazed at my eye.

"…like hiding the bruises on my face, just for everyone sake. Mom he’s a real go getter, love hasn’t ever felt better, you won’t believe all the things he’s promisin’ me. California that’s where we’re goin’, he swears he can make a fortune. I know you don’t think I should go...there’s some things a mama don’t know."

There are several things that people don’t know; that those around us, those who love us will never know…there are unseen bruises, battered souls, hidden scars and shattered dreams.

Some of the broken places within me have healed…and they are stronger than they would have been had they not broke. They healed because the words of my dad circled in my head, "You Only Fail When You Quit."

Some places have not healed, but I won’t stop trying to breathe hope into those places.

I don’t know where you need healing, but you do. I don’t know if someone around you needs compassion, and you may not either….

So, for this month instead of staring at someone’s bruises, ask if you can help. And know this, that being broken doesn’t mean you are weak, it means that you have the ability to grow and become stronger than you ever imagined you could be…

Thank you for continuing with me on this journey,

M