There is a value in having been broken. Come explore that with us.
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Are you broken? I am. I am amazingly, beautifully and uniquely broken. After tucking the kids into bed and watching them doze off into dream land, I’m left sitting here, realizing that it took my entire life to appreciate the value in being broken.
Quite a few people have never had to look themselves in the mirror and ask, “what the hell is going on and how do I change it?”
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Not everyone in this world has experienced the kind of pain or disappointment we have. Not everyone has felt the heart break of letting down those who we care for the most. Many people have gone through their years without any life altering ups and downs. Quite a few people have never had to look themselves in the mirror and ask, “what the hell is going on and how do I change it?” Those people, while good, respectable, valuable people, will never be what we have become. They will never have the great honor of calling themselves broken.
Be careful when you read the word “broken.” It is not hopeless. I would consider hopeless to be those that never came back, those that never attacked or changed the things in their lives that broke them. They are still in the process of breaking and it’s us that can help bring them back from hopeless. We can show the world the value in being broken.
Broken people have empathy. We know what it’s like to be at the end of the rope. We don’t judge, but if you truly reach out, we will never let go. We know what it’s like to be hopeless and we will share our new found strength to pick you up. We will help you be proud to be broken.
Broken people love. Completely. It doesn’t matter if you are a friend or our mate, when we choose to value you we will keep that promise. We appreciate every single ounce of love extended to us and, therefore, value highly those we choose to love. More than any, we love the broken.
Broken people forgive. It’s that simple. We believe in second chances because we have had them. We have shown that old dogs can learn new tricks. We extend that same faith we earned to those we care about.
We believe in second chances because we have had them.
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Broken people are sincere. It’s simple. We have been through too much to let the small stuff get to us. There is no concern for everyone liking us. We have learned the value in a few good people and would rather be completely straight forward to maintain those types in our lives.
Broken. Not the same as brand new. Scarred, but still here. Not hopeless. Not jaded. Just beautifully manipulated into something we didn’t used to be. I write this for those who feel like they are at the end of the rope. Those that think it’s never going to improve. It does. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, things always get better.
So I am asking you, please, don’t give up. Don’t throw your hands in the air and walk away from becoming a new you. Hold your head high, seek out the good people, make the changes that need to be made. Soon you will look back and see what an amazing person it has turned you into.
Broken, just like me.
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Photo: Flickr/Chris OBrien
It makes me happy when people can find strength in the bad they have experienced and offer help or encouragement to those who are where they were. That’s what I mean about being proud to be broken. Thank you for the comments!
Thank you. I so needed thatand need that still. I’ve never felt more heartbreaking pain from a man than I have for the last few months and it’s not going away. Thank you
Phil,
I don’t think I’ve seen a better article that concisely speaks to the whole subject of being broken. I very much appreciate your words as they ring so true for me. May you continue to find and experience the depths and heights of the path of life that you are on.
Niraj,
Absolutely. Whatever it is, or was, pulling through gives value beyond measure. I think the trick is to learn and grow. Head up, chin out. Thank you for being broken my friend.
Phil
Phil,
I thank you for writing such a moving piece. It was an immensely helpful article to bring back faith in myself.
I hope you keep writing more of such moving and inspiring articles and encourage more people to believe in themselves and enjoy and accept ownself as they are.
Regards,