Elevator: Emotions

After waiting a good four days, the school elevator was finally operational -- No more having to walk up and down six flights of stairs for classes/meals, it was a modern miracle.

My friends and I gathered together to take the lift down to the lobby, the machine making it's standard groaning in descent.

*CRACK*

And then we stopped moving...

ten seconds

twenty seconds

the door wasn't opening

Things started to get warm inside the shaft as the three of us mumbled under our breaths, "Great. Just great."

And then I began to panic.

'What do we do?'

'Should we call security? Trigger the alarm?'

My mind began to race to all the possible NEGATIVE outcomes and I immediately became claustrophobic.

Anxiety is a real thing that people have to deal with... some on a daily basis.

I also experience anxiety attacks from time to time, though nothing as severe as middle-school.

There were moments when the fear was so thick I'd crumple and begin to cry. I'm thankful those days are over, but I'm still triggered on occasion, tossed about anxious thoughts -- but hey -- always improving!

The breakthrough for me came from a realization; a realization that everyone is perfectly imperfect and life will continue to go on. It was the moment I internalized this proverb, going past the act of simply listening to the words... it was then I gained what I was searching for.

Confidence looks good on anyone and everyone.

I hope you, reader, can grasp this concept.

We don't have to be fearful of others. There's nothing they can do to us, say about us, think about us... no one is capable of derailing our self-esteem. It's crazy how many people flip out over one jab distributed by a neighbor. Seriously, someone's entire day can be ruined thanks to a single remark.

Now that is crazy!

The elevator incident was resolved a few minutes later when the doors slowly peeled open. I was the first to exit, and quickly so, as a rush of relief flooded my entire being.

Looking back now it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. How often do we think our problem is bigger than it really is? I know some of you have really really big problems, but how about the little things we fret... are those things worth our concern?

I leave you with this:

You may be stuck in an elevator right now, but the doors will open. If it doesn't happen automatically, I suggest you pull that alarm, let someone know that you need help. The longer you stay inside the shaft the warmer it's going to be, the more uncomfortable life will be.

There are people who care. Find them. Confide in them.