Bounce: Getting Over Being Hurt

It so easy to look around at the world and allow ourselves to become convinced that mankind is evil. It’s quite easily confirmed that friends or loved ones will betray you, politicians will continue to lie, your money will be stolen and the planet will be left in ruins due to greed and a total disregard for life. The horrors of the world, if you focus on them, can break your heart. And you don’t have to look too far for evidence.

Of course, sometimes you don’t even have to leave your house to get your heart broken. Sometimes heartbreak and pain comes knocking at your door.

I’ve been hiding under the bed, not answering the door. Not checking the mail. Not answering the phone.

But denial only works for so long. Eventually you have to come out of the shadows of fear and tend to the issues at hand. Step into the light of day and deal and let the pain come.

Denial is a magical thing. It allows you to build the castle of your life in the clouds and ignor the true reality that has you cornered. It isn’t until you choose to carefully look around that you notice where you are and  there's no one with you, not really. Hey, so what? All is well. You’re the queen after all. Your kingdom is lovely. You haven’t aged a bit since age 25. Your crown is sparkling and your eyes are hopeful. Empty, but hopeful.

Eventually it will come crashing down. And when it does, what are you going to do?

"Illusion never changed into something real...I'm wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn" -Natalie Imburglia

Do you lay there on the ground, waiting for some one to come along and take pity on you in all your brokenness?

No. You get up. And maybe it takes awhile, but you do it. You get up. Straighten out that tarnished tiara. Brush the dust from your not-so-youthful-face. Smooth out the layers of your once stylish dress. Be on your way. No one can tell you your reign is over. It’s your choice.

Maybe right now you're thinking, Amy, I can’t pick myself up again. I’ve fallen too far this time. Last time I fell in a pond, but this time it was ice. It hurts. Why get up when it just keeps happening? I’ll just lay here. Eventually something will change.

I know. Life is brutal. It just doesn’t work the way we think it should. There are often no answers for why things happen. Good people suffer. Thieving people continue to thrive. One look at the starry sky or a beautiful sunset and the feeling that something IS NOT RIGHT is undeniable. How can the world be so beautiful and so badly broken?

Learn to Bounce

When I was a kid my dad tried to teach me to play tennis. Over and over he would tell me to be the ball . Be the ball. That’s all I remember about tennis really. Be the ball. Anticipate where the ball is going next. Have a plan. Be ready.

So I’m the ball, but I never seem to be able to anticipate where I’m going to land or how hard the next swing will be. I get stuck in the net and try to wiggle myself free. The score doesn’t matter much. I’ve been hearing the word “out” a little too often.

Clearly, I misinterpreted the lesson. I was supposed to learn how to bounce. Or just play tennis.

Bounce back. Don’t allow yourself to get smacked around day after day for the pleasure of someone else, until one final backhand renders you a useless lump in the center of the court..

You can’t lose your bounce. The game is over if you can’t bounce .

Are you ready for a new start? Whether we're talking about your personal life, our country, or the world at large, it's time. A fresh start is long overdue. If this past year has brought you personal or financial loss, heartbreak or tragedy, it doesn’t have to define your future. It has changed you, for sure. Let it make you stronger, not stranger. Be resilient, not bitter.

• You don’t have to be the person you were.
• You don’t have to deny what needs fixing.
• You don’t have to keep making the same mistakes you made last year, or possibly all of your life (I’m raising my hand on that one).
• You can change. You can bounce again.

It’s okay if your dreams didn’t come true and the castle of your life fell out of the sky. I assure you, you are in good company. Dream a new dream. Start over. Rebuild. Just do it on the ground this time, okay?

You can still be queen, king or whatever over your life. Who’s gonna tell you you can’t? And if they do, why listen? Maybe they're looking for a new ball to hit. Tell them exactly what they can do with their racket. Offer to assist.

I don’t know what type kind of crap is going to show up at my front door (or yours) next year. I’m not going to hide from it this time. I’m going bounce right up and answer, racket in hand. (kidding!)

I’ll answer now, with the strength and the wisdom that I have obtained from dealing with the crap that came to the door last year. I’m ready now.

Bring it on.

Now I'd like to invite you to practice bouncing with me. Literally. The following video will help. Get up now and bounce around the room. I promise, you will not be able to be cranky after this! 

The New Year marks my first anniversary here at HubPages. Although I have been absent for the past few months due to a personal crisis, there are a few Hubbers that have stood by me and encouraged me throughout the year and I would like to thank them.  

My friends, StephHicks, Robie2 and Solar Shingles.

My far off friends who have sent their love from the other side of the globe: Ripplemaker and Dayzebee, and the social (networking)  butterflies LDSNana and In The Doghouse.

Thank you all for hanging in there with me through the tough times.

Thanks to all my friends and readers here at HubPages for being a bright spot in my life this year.

May the New Year bring the best to you all!