Still I Rise

What do the words "still I rise" mean to you?

For me, these words are a daily remembrance of the inner strength we all have. That strength that we need to call upon when times are difficult or trying. That strength that we sometimes forget we have until we need it.

Still I rise reminds me of the sun rising everyday. No matter what happens today, the sun will still rise tomorrow. The sun rising brings with it a new day, a new beginning. It is important to realise that we don't need to carry over the negativity or the mistakes we made yesterday into today. Today is a fresh day...a fresh start...a fresh beginning. You just need to make sure you still rise each day to make that new beginning.

When I think of my inner strength I like to also think of a tree..tall and strong growing within me. My inner tree is a gum tree. I like their qualities of size and hardiness, resilience to environmental conditions and their abundance in our environment.

What would your inner tree be?

My inner tree brings with it a gentle peace also...a knowing. It also brings with it the knowledge that I may sway at times but I will still stand tall. Recently, my family experienced a terrible loss...a loss so great that my inner tree was truly tested....my strength to carry on, supporting myself and the rest of my family was tested. I wasn't sure if I had the strength within me to stand tall and to rise the next day, but I guess I surprised myself. I am still standing...still rising everyday.

Finding the reason to rise is something I do everyday...finding that one reason. It might be something very simple, but it is sometimes very profound.

What is your reason to rise each day...to start afresh...to put yesterday behind you...to embrace that new beginning?