This morning, I read a journal prompt that said:

It got me thinking.
Am I avoiding anything? If so, what is it?

At first, I didn’t think I was avoiding anything, but then I realized I hadn’t really taken the time to think deeply about it either. So I came back to the question later and decided to readdress it.

When I think about my life, I tend to break things down into three main areas:

But underneath all of those is a larger theme: healing and personal growth. That’s the foundation everything else is built upon.

As I reflected on the question more honestly, I realized that if there is an area I’ve been avoiding something, it’s probably within family, the most important and, at times, the most difficult area for me.

I love my family more than anything. They are the reason I’m still here today.

However, I don’t always do a great job of expressing it. I don’t tell them enough that I love them or that I’m proud of them. I know I can do better in this area, and I know it’s challenging for me. There’s a vulnerability that comes with expressing those emotions openly, and honestly, I’m still trying to understand why that feels difficult at times.

That doesn’t mean I never say it, because I do. But I know I should say it more.

My oldest son just got a job. He nailed the interview again, and last night while he was in his room, I told him how proud I was of him. Moments like that matter.

A lot of the bonding with my boys happens through joking around and humor. My wife jokes about that all the time. But I want to become more intentional about being serious sometimes too, really letting them know how deeply I love them and how proud I am of the people they’re becoming.

I want to do that more for my wife as well.

I’ve come a long way in my healing journey, but I still want to grow. As I sit here writing this and looking over at our digital picture frame cycling through memories, I’m reminded that we don’t have as much time as we think we do.

My family is my reason for living, but I don’t tell them that enough.

Everything I’ve done, and everything I continue to do, is for them.

There was a time in my life when I was at my lowest point, struggling deeply with trauma and wanting everything to end. In those moments, I thought about what it would do to my family. I thought about what they would have to carry if I was gone.

I couldn’t do that to them.

So even when I didn’t think I was worth fighting for, I knew they were. I knew it was better for me to stay, even while struggling, even while hurting.

As I reflect on all of this now, I think the next step in my healing journey is learning to express my love, gratitude, and pride more openly to the people who mean the most to me.

Stay positive and take action!

Thank you for your support!

Resources: For resources, my programs, or to schedule a 30-minute discovery call, visit my website by clicking here.

NEW: I’ve started a private Facebook community called Survivor to Thriver Community: Healing, Support, and Growth. This community is by invite only. It’s a place where survivors can go to receive support from others that understand what they’re going through. If you’re interested, please send me an email at [email protected] and let me know you want to join and I’ll send you an invite.

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