Reasons To Stay Alive #3 – It Will Get Better

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It’s the weekend, and a long one at that, as it’s a public holiday in Northern Ireland on Monday. I finally have an opportunity to draw breath and look back on the events of the last few days. I’ve been employed by my organisation for 19 years and was promoted on Tuesday to a senior position I’ve been working towards for a long time. The interview process was one of the most stressful experiences of my working life.

On the back of that, my first novel was published on Amazon on Thursday. It’s been almost two years since I started writing it and the biggest project I’ve ever undertaken. To see it up on Amazon was one of the proudest moments of my life. What’s more, people are buying it, and early reviews have been positive. I sure hope all you North American buyers get the dark Irish humour I peddle.

Later today I’m off on a 8 mile training run as I continue to work towards my 10th marathon. I haven’t selected the race yet, as I gradually up my distance. So far, that’s went well and I’ve been pleased with my pace. My diet could be better and I’m hoping to drop a few pounds but Marathon 10 is looking more likely again after a year of illness and annoying injuries. The third leg of my Mission Improbable.

All this would have been HIGHLY improbable, less than a decade ago when I was unfit and unhappy. This unhappiness radiated outwards and affected my loved ones, like a pebble launched into a placid lake. The ripples had repercussions, they reverberated negatively around my little world. I was taking more out of life, than I was contributing, treading water and going nowhere fast.

The moral of this story, if there has to be one, is that your life and circumstances can change. You can turn your life around, you can start again, but it requires both desire and action on your part. It requires a decision, a choice, to turn your back on what was and embrace what lies ahead. It’s not easy, it’s not instantaneous, but it is most definitely attainable. Faith, Hope and Love conquer all. Even the smallest of steps forward is still a step forward.

I still have rough days, I still struggle, but the good massively outnumber the not so good. It’s a war of attrition, but a war I’m winning. It’s the biggest cliche in the world and before all this happened I would have scoffed at its mere mention but hard experience has taught me its truth – THINGS CAN AND WILL GET BETTER. Every pit has a rock bottom, every car crash of a life a defining moment.

Rock bottom is a blessing, the ultimate gift. It’s not the end, but an opportunity to start afresh. If you can’t go any lower, then there’s only one direction – UPWARDS. Grab the rope dangling before you and pull hard, haul your sorry self towards the light above. If I can do it, then so can you, and I’m with you, every torturous step of the way, via this blog. It might take months, years, the rest of your life, but it is possible.

I’ve said all I can say. I’ve walked the long road, practised what I’ve preached, and washed up on your blogging beach. I’m the message in the bottle, the message you might not want to hear, at this moment in your life but I’m telling you anyway. The message for your mess, I’m not the antidote or cure. Only you can instigate that, but I might be the spark that alights the flames of change within you.

Published by Fractured Faith Blog

We are Stephen and Fionnuala and this is our story. We live in Northern Ireland, have been married for 17 years and have three kids - Adam, Hannah and Rebecca. We hope that our story will inspire and encourage others. We have walked a rocky road yet here we are today, together and stronger than ever. We are far from perfect and our faith has been battered and bruised. But an untested faith is a pointless faith. Just as a fractured faith is better than none at all. We hope you enjoy the blog.

34 thoughts on “Reasons To Stay Alive #3 – It Will Get Better”

  3. What an inspiring message, thanks for posting. Have a good eight mile run today! I’m not training for a Marathon or anything, but I’m going on a four mile run today. It’s my destress time.

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  7. Thanks for the reminder Stephen that decisions to change are ours alone. I appreciate that you read my recent post on moving, for it lead me to your blog. Love the title! Blessings on your writing and book sales. Congrats on publishing your first book and achieving a long-held goal. Bravo!

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  8. Thank you for your authenticity and vulnerability. In sharing our stories, we continue to heal and inspire others along the way! Thank you for the uplifting words and congratulations on your promotion, book! Good luck on the marathon!

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  17. A year ago I didn’t even know I had access to a blog beach that would regularly deliver positive messages from far away lands. Powerful words Stephen. Pulling hard to haul your sorry self up can be bitter medicine. But coming from one who has done just that validates the message. We are responsible for our own desire to and actions that help bring about change. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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