We like to distract ourselves from pain and hurt and depression. Throwing yourself from one thing to another, from study, to business, to relationships, to the pursuit of success, to self-destructive behaviours…anything, anything to stop from feeling the full force of it. It hurts to feel it. Who wants to feel like that.
I don’t know. I think maybe we have to, eventually. To take away everything you’ve used to cover it up and just be able to look at yourself and see what you are without those things. I’m trying to do this, and honestly I don’t know what I’m gonna see. Probably just a scared kid. A scared kid with a lot of scars who needs a bit of love and encouragement, mostly from myself. When we strip us all back…I think we’re probably all just scared kids. I don’t know why we’re all so afraid to see that.
You’ve gotta let yourself feel it. Maybe then…hopefully then…we can start to heal.
I don’t mean to be cheesy, I hope I don’t come across like that. I hate generic cliche advice, mental health and depression are so much more complicated than that and I value each of you far more than to give you that. But I think this one is for me. I hope maybe it can help you too.
Take care guys. I hope you’re smiling today.
Penny
Motivating Giraffe 
I feel like your images would be perfect for my students. However, they are young, angry and am not sure ready to think outside themselves.
We are working on it.
Once again, I feel your powerful message. I have been running from my husband’s death for 3 years, and i am exhausted, both mentally and physically. To see you put context around exactly what I’m doing to avoid facing the pain head-on is startling. Thank you for your honesty, and the compassion you show with Motivating Giraffe. xo
Take care my friend.
Great post! We must face our fears which means facing ourselves. BTW, I just ordered one of your 2016 Calendars. Can’t wait to receive it!! Thank you!!
Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often and commented:
Do any of you guys and gals follow Motivating Giraffe?
I so needed this today. Thank you, Penny, for your LOVELY giraffe (does he have a name?) and his friends. The last few weeks and days have been particularly hard for me and I’ve been trying to feel an heal. Thank you so much.
Thank YOU so much :) He doesn’t have a name yet, although I think he’s okay without one for now!
You’re welcome. My daughter and I love him, and you’ve been posting the perfect quotes and pics to go with them and helping me through a really rough time. I love your giraffe and pig-but the turtle is my favorite! Shhh! I don’t want to hurt the others feelings :)
[…] https://motivatinggiraffe.com/2015/10/19/october-19-2015-heal/ […]
I did this. Took away everything I had been using to cope….I didn’t realize how much that was! Once I started, it gained momentum by itself until I was questioning every thought I had about everything in my life. As the layers were shed, I was starting to question if there even was a real ‘me’ beneath it all.
There was/is.
And it was a scared child, hiding beneath a lifetime of patches and doing anything to avoid that hurt, that fear.
We sat together for a long time, just holding each other. Just letting ourselves feel, allowing ourselves to feel – a very new experience.
I won’t say it was pleasant. It was not. It hurt…a lot.
And I lost most things people consider ‘valuable’ in life to do this. Nice home, lots of ‘friends’, ‘good’ career, some family.
It was worth it.
I am actually, genuinely, truly happy now. With who I am. With life.
With my new best friend…
:)
——
Thank you for your postings, Penny. They truly are motivating, and I always look forward to each of them. I actually get a little excited when I see Motivating Giraffe in my inbox!
Take care,
B
Sometimes things become cliche and cheesy because they are just so doggone true :)
Love this, Penny. I think you’re right. We are all a bunch of scared kids.
you have great courage
None of your drawings ever seem cheesy. You have an amazing ability to always strike the right chord.
As I posted on Facebook earlier… you seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and you both recognize problems and seem to have a good creative outlet for yourself. That and good family/friends for support is a recipe for getting through most struggles.
Thanks a lot :)
Just what I needed, thanks!
Love all these inspirational post especially the one that says stop wishing start doing…thanks for sharing…you know you can watch this video https://youtu.be/ZnLKnc3DWwg It was too much helpful for me.
[…] Source: October 19, 2015 – Heal […]
So glad it was reblogged… Had to follow. I love giraffes and everything about your blog. Blessings😌
Every single one of your posts is encouraging, uplifting and comforting. I look forward to your posts so much! Thank you!
It’s so true. No matter how hard it gets we never run away from the truth.
Healing really begins when we are ready to face things up close.
The monster you face is the one you’ll overcome.
I really liked this small post..once i was told by some one that , the more you serve the pain happily , the more you shine..
Reblogged this on Gentle Kindness .
Very true. We have to fully feel in order to be able to heal. It is the most productive and beneficial path to take.
[…] October 19, 2015 – Heal […]