Born Ready

Forged in a fire, and the depths of our souls, with faith tested at many turns. No, we were not born ready. We are made ready.

Colorful sky over Anchorage, Alaska

Born Ready
by Shawn Patrick Rivera

Some say they are born ready 
Before a big moment in their lives 
In a moment of competitiveness 
When adversity comes to greet them 
Or when death knocks on a door 

We were not born ready 
Entering this unknown world 
Embarking on a new journey 
Of discovery 
Of learning 
Of success
Of failure
Of love 
Of joy 
Of pain
Of trauma 
Of loss 
Of sorrow 
Down to some of the deepest depths 
And up to some of the highest heights 

No, we were not born ready 
Not for this life 
Or tomorrow 
Or today 
Or even this moment 
Not for what we may have achieved 
And certainly not for what we may have lost 
Only to discover something more 

No, we are made ready 
Some of us raised with a steady love 
Examples of strength and loyalty 
And unwavering care 
Some of us with stories of abandonment and heartbreak 
And wounds that never fully heal 
Some of us with reasons to rage and storm 
And lose faith in ourselves and others 
Some of us with experiences of failure and redemption 
Discovering who we truly are
And what we were sent here to learn 

Learning how to love 
Imperfectly and unconditionally 
Learning how to first love ourselves is the key 
Learning how to forgive 
Asking for forgiveness isn’t easy 
Not forgiving ourselves can kill
Learning how to be thankful 
Not taking a single day or breath for granted 
Experiencing devastating loss 
Only to gain this life-saving perspective 
Learning how to fail 
Not being afraid to succeed 
Self-sabotage is the hidden monster 
Learning how to ask for help 
And the power of community 
Learning compassion 
And how to treat others
How we should be treating ourselves

Were we born ready?
Forged in a fire 
And the depths of our souls
With faith tested at many turns 
No, we were not born ready 
We are made ready 

Now the ball is tossed
And the question posed
Are you ready?

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