Choose Wisely
Sometimes life is brutal, unforgiving and heart-wrenching. Like a fire burning
out of control, threatening to consume you.
In those moments, you have a choice.
Become ashes, scattered. Or become a phoenix, reborn.
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This is my submission for this weekend’s Trifextra challenge. We had to write exactly
33 words of advice.
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Image credit: a_cemetery / Photoxpress.com
Apoplectic Apostrophes 
Well put Suzanne – Lately I have been all about “rising above” shit. Cheers
Thanks Sam!
Wonderful message and gorgeous phoenix!!
Thank you! Yeah, the phoenix is pretty stunning, isn’t it?
I like that your advice was not to avoid getting burned…some of those trials by fire have been the most important in my personal growth. Next time I leap into the flames though, I’ll think of that beautiful phoenix!
I agree, trials by fire are sometimes essential catalysts for change. Glad that resonated with you! Thanks for commenting!
I love this advice. Ultimately, the choice is always yours.
Absolutely! Thanks for commenting Deana!
Beautiful. I am wondering if you could tell us in exactly 33 words how to become a Phoenix , reborn:-)
Thanks Joan! Hmm, I’m not sure I could do that in exactly 33 words… perhaps I’ll give it a go!
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Nietzche
Indeed! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Amazing piece. I completely agree!!
Thank you!
BE THE PHOENIX!
Yes! Good choice!
Wait… can I be a phoenix scattering ashes? Just a little?
Love it, Suzanne!
Ha! I love your comments Kymm. As long as you aren’t scattering your own ashes, I think that would be fine. 😉
Great imagery. If only we could choose phoenix all the time.
As long as you’re still enjoying your life I think you did choose phoenix. Thanks for commenting Sarah Ann!
I like that. I’ve never thought of myself as a phoenix, but I can now. 🙂
🙂
I thought this was quite stunning! Beautiful language to create a beautiful image – well done.
I second these thoughts completely. you wove it beautifully
Thank you so much Ruby!
Aw, thank you so much for such a lovely comment! 🙂
Haven’t we all been there, to that place of dark, not knowing which way to turn or how to bring ourselves out of the gloom, oh to be the phoenix in times like these. Lovely Suz.
Aw, thank you! It’s a tough place to find yourself in — sometimes being the phoenix is the only way out.
This is really awesome advice. I love how you worked in the phoenix metaphor!
Thanks Draug! Sometimes, it’s all I can do not to work in a phoenix metaphor… 🙂
That which doesn’t kill us. . . Beautiful job.
Thank you so much!
Oh, my goddess, this is beautiful, and powerful, and exactly what I needed to hear.
Thank you for such a lovely comment!
I think my phoenix is always reborn from the cooling ashes, because I am invariably scattered in the moment.
🙂 Just as long as she’s reborn. Thanks for commenting!
yep choice we always have – good one
Thank you!
Suzanne, I love this! And I love the idea that the phoenix is always there-always a possibility!
Thanks Valerie! I like that idea too. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
I love this. I’m all about making choices, being proactive in your own life and not letting others decide or define you or your path. Well done. And I like the phoenix metaphor.
🙂 Thanks Gina! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Yes,we always have a choice-great advice Suzanne & the Phoenix has always fascinated me-so loved that reference:-)
I love the optimism in this. Do wait for things to happen. Do something. Great advice.
Oops! I meant: Don’t wait for things to happen.
Thanks Lumdog! I love that you got that message — do something — spot on! 🙂
rising from the ashes to fly again . . . beautiful!
Aw, thanks Barbara! 🙂
I love the poetic punch in the last couple of lines. Scatter or be reborn– I’ll remember that always! 😀
Thank you so much for your awesome comments!
Suzanne, this spoke to me so much. I have a tattoo of a circular phoenix on my left bicep that I got at Kat Von D High Voltage shop in Hollywood a year and a half after my divorce. It represents my new beginning after hell. a few months later, I met Bobina. awesome.
🙂 See Lance, I think we must be kindred spirits — I also have a phoenix tattoo (on my back), which I got after my life crashed and burned a long time ago. I’m all about the new beginnings, and rebuilding your life into something better, which mine certainly is now. Thanks so much for commenting!
What lovely, literate and lyrical advice, Suzanne. Of all the words I have read this weeked, yours sound most like First Place. 🙂 Thanks for creating such beautiful work.
Aw, thanks for your lovely comments Tom! You are too kind. 🙂
That last line is awesome! The choice is ours to make.
Thank you so much Janna!
What beautiful imagery in such a short passage. Well done!
Thanks Dawn!
I’ve always loved the imagery and the idea of the Phoenix; this is beautiful writing, hard with truth but a flame of light sparking at the end