Not a day goes by that I don’t count my blessings to have certain people in my life who have led me to happiness. For many years I had a terrible self-image. I was stuck with so many negative beliefs about myself that pulled me into the ground. I was trying to break the surface and reach the sunlight, but I was caught in a lifetime of darkness and shrouded in silence.

Just over a year ago I hit my lowest point, my self-image was so terrible that I would come home and cry and I couldn’t explain why. I had a husband with three boys who loved me unconditionally and a wonderful home. On the outside my life was perfect, inside I was screaming for help. I had suffered the effects that came along with emotional and sexual abuse, as a teen, that caused my internal self-image to stop me from feeling happy with myself.

I had eventually turned to writing as a form of therapy. While sitting out in the backyard on a quiet sunny day I found myself staring at all the trees as they moved about in the breeze. Many were very tall and some were small but all moved differently, but why did they not fall? This is what I’ve realized…

A tree that once was a tiny little seed, that had immense strength within it, knew that in order to grow big and tall it had to be dropped in soil, hidden in darkness and struggle to break through the surface.

One day there will be a terrifying storm brewing in the sky. The little sapling, so small and delicate, discovers very quickly that it will have to face and survive horrific weather conditions; tornadoes, rain storms, heavy snow falls, and even the deadliest, being struck by lightning. Although tiny, it has the flexibility to bend and not break, and the strength to endure whatever life has in store for it.

The tree will in fact get through all types of challenges throughout its very long life. In times of stress, trees do not grow beyond their ability to support themselves, they start to shed leaves and branches in order to grow taller and stronger.

So, over the years as this tree grew, it survived but it looked a little different from the rest. Its trunk was cracked and split, the woody branches looked injured and broken but it will still grow for many years to come. The bark that protects the tree’s trunk was mostly now removed from humans carving and picking at it, leaving scars on it that will forever remain on the trunk for all to see. But amongst all this, it’s roots that remained underground, extended three times the tree’s width, making sure it was well grounded.

The day will finally arrive where the tree reaches an age where it is able to flower. Humans will come out of nowhere to water, love and hug the tree, something it needed so desperately for so long to encourage it to grow. The people’s love for this tree reminded it why it was first planted there and needed to stay. People needed this tree to breathe, it produced pure oxygen and helped make for a more beautiful landscape. Finally, the most important reason why this tree had such a purpose… to provide shade and shelter to any person that stood beneath it.

So many people go through life standing tall and being a tree with their roots in the ground and letting the wind just shift them back and forth, not doing anything else. I have broken through the surface of darkness that was piled on top of me and I am ready to fight any storm that hits me. I am ready to feel the sun shining on me and let the wind rustle the leaves on my branches loud enough to inspire others. My hope and dream is for you to do the same.

Break through the barriers that are holding you back from reaching your full potential; weather the storm. Aspire to show others by example, what can be done and the potential they have within themselves. Live the life you were meant to live because every second not doing what you want is time wasted, time that you will never see again. You have the flexibility and the strength within you to become and do whatever you dream of, but it must come from within you. Go and fight for it.

Monica Da Maren

Monica suffered abuse as a teen, she turned to writing as a form of therapy and self -awareness. Through the joy of recording her thoughts and feelings she found healing and peace, and is now raising her own family with her loving husband of 12 years. Monica has been greatly influenced by bestselling author and star of The Secret, Bob Proctor. To further her personal development she completed his intensive six-month coaching program, and is now proud to call him a friend and a mentor. Today as a successful hairstylist and life coach, Monica inspires her clients and others to release their painful past, follow their hearts and live their lives with authentic passion and purpose.

Her new book ‘Alone Together’ is out January 20th, 2015 and she is donating 75% of profits to charities in helping women and girls globally. Go here for all the details: http://monicadamaren.com.