
You Need a Reminder of How Strong You Really Are!
When I was in elementary school and first learning my multiplication tables, my little brain could not wrap itself around it. The subject of math was not my strong suit and really, still isn’t! Way back then, I remember sitting on the couch with my mother going over flash cards with multiplication problems imprinted on them. I was crying and frustrated, but she never let me give up. The only reason I learned it as well as I did was because she kept putting those cards in my face with the same problems over and over. Each time she showed me a problem I had already seen, I remembered the answer. Each card was just like a reminder.
Reminders. Sometimes, we have to be reminded how we got through some of the trials in our lives by going back to a time when we may have gone through a similar situation. During those times you don’t have the answer, or just don’t know what to do, you need a reminder of what you’ve learned before. When you’re in the thick of a difficult situation that doesn’t feel very good, it’s easy to forget what a superstar you are. You need to pull out your “flash cards” to remind you you’ve been here before and you know you’ll be okay.
If you’ve lived very long, you’ve come through some difficult experiences and disappointments – life is full of them. But here you are, still standing. Maybe you’re heartbroken right now over a relationship that came to an end. If it’s not your first heartbreak, then this is a good time to go back to the heartbreaks of yesterday and remember how you got through them to know you’ll get through this one too. You may have to pull out the “flash cards” and read each one to remember how you came out stronger on the other side in the past.
If you’ve gone through childbirth, you probably remember that at the time, labor pains were probably among the worst you’d ever imagine. Studies reveal that most women don’t really remember how painful it was; well, at least not to the point of being able to dredge up the actual feeling. I believe that’s by divine design, because if we could actually feel it again, would we ever have another child? Forgetting the pain, yet remembering it at the same time is God’s way of letting us know what we “labored” through. And survived. Holding that newborn baby in your arms is well worth the pain.
The next time you go through a storm or painful situation, pull out your “flash cards” and remind yourself how amazingly strong and resilient you are. How you will survive. Just one of those things we can do to get up, dust ourselves off and continue this fabulous thing called Life. You’ve got this!

Hi, it’s me, Janine Lattimore and I want to inspire and encourage you to #keepgoing! Based in the Atlanta, Georgia area, and among the many other hats I wear, I’m a writer, mother and Editor in Chief for Classy Living Society, a women’s only national community service organization. I’m here to share philosophy, inspiration, humor, a bit of inside info and tidbits I learned along life’s beautiful journey. Welcome!
O my gosh Janine, what an awesome piece to read and re-read today. I could write an essay on this topic. Going through my studies in college the last year was a challenge and I had to constantly remind myself ‘you can do this or that’, ‘don’t give up, you got this’. Reaching back into my inner self brought me through to keep pressing, realizing I am a strong woman!!! Janine, you are an awesome thought provoker. Thank you for pulling the thoughts out of us.
Awesome as always and I do agree,We should always learn from past experiences and use them when other situations may arise that you may be able to pull from that past experience.