Second Chance After Despair & Devastation
“When Life Gives You A Second Chance, Grab It with Both Hands”
The lovely Nasreen Bhutta, my friend and CEO of Project Starfish America, was recently featured on Bold Blind Beauty. In today’s Women On The Move article, she shares a deeply personal account of love, loss, and second chances. Enjoy!
I never thought I would be a recipient of a second chance even though it’s often said that life gives them out every now and then! Despair and devastation were my constant companions after going through an unexpected divorce and developing a progressive degenerative eye disease. Because of my diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), I was literally staring blindness in the face. The added stress of becoming a single parent increased my struggles. My thought of the day (really every day) had become, “Why me?”
Trust, loyalty, honesty, affection, and love―all the building blocks of a healthy relationship―seemed broken and forever meaningless. Men lost their charm and were no longer relevant in my life. I was heartbroken, and the awareness I had of my involuntary singlehood permeated my soul.
When a relationship crumbles, it leaves behind a trail of sorrow, bitterness, and emptiness. I hated all of these feelings which were very hard for me to overcome! I was done with relationships especially a
My focus shifted from my needs to my daughter’s and giving her the best I could under the circumstances. I became a Super Mom. Pouring all of my energy into skate
Long Buried Emotions Breathe New Life
I never thought a second chance would ever come my way. But it did, many years later, in the form of someone special during a networking opportunity. This individual had an alluring voice, a boyish charm, and a gentle but firm demeanor. He believed in me, cared for me, and respected me. I will never forget the question he asked me that kindled a spark, “Would you like to be friends?” A simple question, but for me, a beacon of hope! “Wow, I can’t believe this…” I thought.
He was persistent with his encouragement and constantly challenged me in different ways. It was not only unnerving, but empowering and thrilling. “Wow, was this really me?”
As our friendship progressed, I found myself opening up more and more. I felt I was regaining the ability to care and trust again. There was something special about him that made it seamless and easy to bond. What I found amazing was my desire to invest my time and energy into this budding new relationship. When my emotions started getting the best of me, I found it to be the most extraordinary outcome. Emotions buried so deep, I thought they would never resurface again! “What’s happening to me?”
The Undeniable Impact Of Acceptance
Often, the feeling of being “understood” in relationships becomes the main foundation upon which two people form their bond. “We are on the same page, and we understand each other” are the words and emotions most desired. However, in my case, “understanding” and being “understood” wasn’t always the case. At times I just didn’t “understand” him at all. Sometimes I’d just roll my eyes and think “men are so crazy” as his actions, words, and behavior was so puzzling.
“I accept you as you are” were the words that resonated deep in my soul, the first time I heard them spoken by him! “Acceptance” is a simple word, but it had a profound impact on me. My quirks and idiosyncrasies, my zest for life and overzealousness, and the main one, my disability, were all accepted! “Wow, could this really be?”
This pivotal moment made me realize that love is acceptance and is unconditional. Disability or not, the dawning of a new day had begun. I felt as though the warm sun had shone upon me and all my senses were awakened. I felt positive, and life has purpose once again!
No matter how late in life it happens, lucky are those who get a second chance. It is finally here for me, and I’m ready. If it comes for you, go for it! Don’t think! Just grab it with both hands and never look back. Let’s raise a cup of cheer for second chances. They are priceless!
Connecting With Nasreen:
- Website: www.pstarfish.org
- Twitter: @Nasreen1968
- LinkedIn: @NasreenBhutta
Second Chance After Despair & Devastation Featured Image:
In this image Nasreen is standing on a patio deck on the shore of a lake in India. Her shoulder length brown hair is softly blowing in the wind. She is wearing a bright orange top with blue jeans and sunglasses. The lake can be seen in the background along with trees, a table and some chairs.
Additional Images:
- Nasreen is standing on a partially shaded porch. She is wearing sunglasses, a black skirt with a pretty black & white print top.
- As a Canadian resident, Nasreen shares this pretty night shot of the CN Tower illuminated in blue light.
- In Nasreen’s third photo she is riding shotgun on a tandem bike statue. This statue is complete with a statue passenger on the rear seat.