Wait -- Where Am I Going?

"You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it"...

I have always been told that I am never given something that I cannot handle, that there is always a lesson to be learned and that everything is going to turn out okay in the end - and if it's not okay, it is not the end.  As I have stated many times in previous blog posts before this one, I am a firm believer in everything happening for a reason.  I believe that events happen so that we can grow and become better people.  We look back on the past and applaud ourselves for all that we have accomplished and wonder how we ever got through those struggling times and made it to today.   We have a tendency to feel as though we are never going to get through something or that it is never going to pass - we are wrong.  Just like how a rainbow appears after every rain shower and storm, so does a better YOU reveal itself after every trial.   It is as if each time we are tried, that hard and husky outer shell is peeled back to expose that strong inner part of ourselves that we didn't know we had.   It isn't until we are given the opportunity to break down and humble ourselves, do we realize how much potential and strength we really do possess.   It is so comforting to know that God trusts in me enough to give me the struggles I face, having complete faith in me that I WILL make it through them and come out on top as a better person.

Changing ourselves can be the most hardest and trying thing that we will ever have to face.  Coming out of our comfort zone and putting ourselves in a place that may seem unfamiliar is something that we do not adjust to easily.  It is natural for us as human beings to want to stay in our comfort zones and not ever want to get caught up in something different to what we currently know.  We like to feel comfortable - anything that makes us uncomfortable we try to avoid.  I know that I am guilty of running away from change.  It is so hard sometimes to want to embrace something different - to want to face new adventures head on and accept everything that happens along the way.  It is difficult.

Intellectually we know that we need to make some changes, but emotionally we cannot even bear the thought of feeling something different.  Even if those feelings are negative and detrimental to our well being, the thought of feeling something other than that can be confusing.  We have become so used to being the way we are that we keep ourselves trapped in an endless cycle and never give ourselves the chance to experience something better.  We try to tell ourselves that "this is it" - that this is how it is and how it's going to be and that we just need to accept it, when really - we are lying to ourselves and making up excuses as to why we can't let go.  We trick ourselves into thinking that if we let go, we are letting down our guard and giving up our security blanket.  This is false.  The longer we hold on, the longer we trap ourselves - as soon as we let go, we have complete freedom.  The hardest part is actually letting go.

Recently I have experienced some major transitions in my life.  We all come to a crossroad at some point in our lives where we have to choose which path to take.  In most cases, one path shows very little change, temporary happiness, and long lasting misery.  Whereas the other shows BIG changes, temporary difficulties/challenges, and everlasting happiness.  Looking at this in writing or from a distance, it is easy to make the choice - but when we are caught up in the middle of it all, it is hard to differentiate between what we really NEED and what is EASY.  I know that I chose the more difficult path - but it is the one that is going to bring me more happiness in comparison to the alternative.  Having to let go of things and people so I could make the gospel number one in my life was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do.  Trying to live a Christ centered life may not always be the easiest, but it is the most fulfilling - I am experiencing this first-hand.     I know that it doesn't matter what I've done or where I've been, there will always be a way for me to reach that light at the end of the tunnel if it is what I choose.  A huge part of that process requires letting go and giving ourselves up in order to receive something better.  We have to want a life worth living - a life worth saving - and a life worth fighting for.  In the New Testament, Matthew 16:25 it says "For whosever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." -- It really is that simple.

Life is constantly changing.  Nothing is ever at a stand-still for very long.  We are all trying to pave our way through this corrupt and destructive world the best we can.  We may not know know the outcome, we may not even know what tomorrow looks like - but what we do know, is that anything and everything we do is for a reason.  We are exactly where we are supposed to be, whether for a trial of our own, or for another - everything happens for a reason.  We know that we aren't given anything we cannot overcome - so don't question it.  As hard as it may be, embrace it - have faith that it will pass.

As I continue to go through this journey, although still in the midst of trial, I know that a greater happiness awaits.  I don't know what life will look like a year from now, or even a month, but I do know that the choices I have made up to this point have helped me move forward.  I am one step closer to where I want to be and another day further away from where I don't want to return.  If that is all it will ever be - I know I can say I tried and did all I can, and for that I will be happy.  Getting to this point won't be easy.  You will want to give up, you will want to quit, and you may lose people along the way - but for every time you get up, every time you keep pushing yourself to go on - more people will come into your life to aid you in your progression. Your support system will grow and you will feel an incomparable love that will be so hard to describe.  Life will no longer seem so bleak and you will start to live a life worth fighting for - the life you were MEANT to live.

Turning A New Leaf

"What you thought before has led to every choice you have made, and this adds up to you at this moment.  If you want to change who you are physically, mentally, and spiritually, you will have to change what you think."

Have you ever wanted something so much, that you let go of the rest of yourself just to have it?  Or has the thought at least crossed your mind?  Have you ever wondered if what you're doing, this strong 'want' or 'desire', is for you and not because of what other people dictate and think?  Although hard to admit, I know that some of what I do in life is because I am overly concerned with how I'm viewed, how certain people may react, and the consequences of disappointing someone who's opinion I care about.  We all do this to an extent.  As much as we like to think that everything we do is for ourselves, it isn't.  We lie to ourselves all the time - trying to justify every action, every thought, and every ounce of expended energy and say that it was for  ourselves and ourselves only.  We are social beings - we crave attention - we need people to survive - and we form our perception of ourselves through the eyes of another.  Without the concerns of how we portray ourselves to other people, the need to be a better person would not exist.  Although along our life's journey we start to gear away from doing things in satisfaction for other people, it initially starts out that way.  Without knowing what it feels like to have to live for someone else, we would never come to know or appreciate what it means to live for ourselves.  Until we've come to this realization, we continue to soak in our own miserable lives of resentment and blame.

I have been told many times to stop letting what other people think, dictate how I feel or what I do.  Have you ever been told this at some point in your life?  If you think about it, if we were letting other people dictate our lives, those around us would have no reason to think that that is exactly what we were doing - because there wouldn't be an issue between what we want to do and what we feel like we need to conform to.  It is exactly because we are not doing what others want, that we have that inner conflict of whether or not we should.

It is hard to take life exactly the way it comes and to accept it in all forms of representation.  We want things to be perfect, we don't want any interruptions, or 'ups and downs' - yet, we still want the lessons learned and knowledge acquired.  It doesn't work that way.

Sometimes life just doesn't turn out the way you want it to.  Sometimes what you want isn't always going to be what is right.   Sometimes what we want most isn't what we get and we get mad at ourselves for not having it.  Despite what you want and what you need, you just have to accept whatever may happen because at the end of the day - you can't change the choices you've made that have led you to the situation you're in.  Everything happens for a reason, whether we like it or not.  Sometimes those reasons are unknown to us and we do not get a form of the bigger picture until the problem has already passed.  When things are unclear, we are less than willing to have the faith that we are going to make it through - once we've seen that it has made us into a better person, we can't help but be grateful that it happened.  None of us welcome our struggles and trials with open arms, it is natural for us to want the easy way out, but when all is said and done - we can't help but embrace and be grateful for the heartache we went through in order to have the long lasting happiness and growth as the end result.

Sometimes I fret over the stresses in my life and withdraw from everyone and everything - other times, I don't let my bad days get to me and I go on my merry way.  I spend hours on end thinking about what I would've, could've, or should've done - when in reality, nothing could have been done differently.   I lay in bed at night wishing there was more to me than the reflection I see in the mirror - not realizing that I'm the only one who is holding myself back.  Being able to let yourself go and being free from conformity requires having a vision of where it is that you want to be in the future - near or far.  Sometimes this can be discouraging when your loved ones or those you hold close do not have the same vision as you do.  This is when living life for you and not for others has to take a turn.  Major events happen so that you can fully prepare yourself to be everything you want to be and more, without someone else taking the credit or dictating to you constantly on what seems to be an overhead surround sound system.  Let others live their lives and take pleasure in living yours.  Be happy with who you are and what you do because you have to live with YOU for the rest of your life.  Make it worth it.

I have come to realize that in order to live a happy and fulfilling life, our top priorities must be those that give us the most happiness in life.  Then, we need to decide that nothing can come between those priorities - they are first in our lives for a specific purpose, keep it that way.  It is always going to be difficult, one way or another, but if it's pure and lasting happiness we are after - it will all be worth it in the end.

Although I am guilty of doing many things that I encourage others not to do, what I have to say would not hold value if I weren't able to identify myself with another's struggles.  Experience reaps wisdom.  If I hadn't "been there, done that" - than nobody would take me seriously because I would not be able to understand what it is that I claim to know and continue to blog.  I'm not here to give you a mushy story or sugar coat what it is that we all go through - I'm simply here to give you my thoughts and words of advice through personal experiences and knowledge I have acquired along the way.

I'm not going to lie - life is NOT an easy ride, but don't let that discourage you from being who you were meant to be.  Surround yourself with uplifting people that are quick to pick you up when you're in need.  Ditch those who constantly bring you down and make you feel as though you're not good enough - because you are.  You ARE good enough, you ARE of value, and YOU are worth more than they could ever offer.  Give yourself a little more credit for what you have accomplished and what you continue to do for YOURSELF and for the needs of other people.  Do not sell yourself short due to the dictations and misunderstandings of another.  You're better than that.  Don't forget it.

"You can't solve a problem with the same mind that created it.... if you change your mind you will solve your problem."


Turn a new leaf, look at life from a new perspective, and change your mind -- take hold of what comes and don't let anyone tear you down in the process.  Start living life for you - it is so much more satisfying.  Be the change you wish to see in the world.

What are you waiting for?

Song of Remembrance

Yes - I did this myself! :) Took both pictures and did an overlay :)

I started this poem back in April and only just finished it about an hour ago.  It is a little hard to say that it is "finished" because I feel as though it might be a life time project - which is why it took so long.  I want to keep changing and adjusting it depending on my audience and topic.  It doesn't feel 'complete' yet - I'm not sure what it needs.  Maybe just more time and thought?  I don't know... 

Some of you might be wondering how I even came up with such a poem.  Back in April around Easter time, I was challenged by one of my Insitute teachers to somehow incorporate the Atonement into more aspects of my life.  I had already written another poem (which is posted in April's archive!) but I felt compelled to do something more.  Obviously I love to write, and one of my other passion's is music.  Whether it is singing, dancing, or playing an instrument - I absolutely love it.  So, I took some of the hymn titles from the LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) Hymn Book and somehow formed a poem - no added words, no abbreviations, just simply the names of the songs.  About a week ago my friend Natalie gave a talk in church and she used part of this poem in her talk.  At first I was a little hesitant to let her use it because of my own insecurities, but again - I felt as though someone in the audience needed to hear it from her.  Oddly enough - that someone was me... I've NEVER heard my own creations come out of the mouth of someone else.  It was refreshing, and eye opening.  It was hard to believe that that was my work.  I had a flush of different emotions as each word was said - but, I was totally calm and at ease at the same time.  That sounds crazy - but I don't know how else to explain it.....

Song of Remembrance

God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son

O, Holy Words of Truth and Love

He Died That We Might Live Again

Lead Me into Life Eternal - Beautiful Zion, Built Above

For All The Saints - Come Follow Me

Abide with Me: 'Tis Eventide

The Time Is Far Spent

Behold the Great Redeemer Die

O God the Eternal Father

We Ever Pray For Thee

With All the Power of Heart and Tongue

More Holiness Give Me



The Wintry Day, Descending to Its Close

God, Our Father, Hear Us Pray

Where Can I Turn For Peace?

As Zion's Youth In Latter Days

In Remembrance of Thy Suffering

Upon the Cross of Calvary

In Memory of the Crucified

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

What Glorious Scenes My Eyes Behold

The Happy Day at Last Has Come

Men Are That They Might Have Joy

O Love That Glorifies the Son

High on the Mountain Top

Gently Raise the Sacred Strain

Know This, That Every Soul Is Free

We Sing All Hail to Jesus' Name

There Is a Green Hill Far Away

Go Forth with Faith - Come Along, Come Along

When Faith Endures - Turn Your Hearts

Great God, to Thee My Evening Song

Dearest Children, God Is Near You

Ye Simple Soul's Who Stray

Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire

Did You Think to Pray?

How Gentle God's Commands

Love One Another - I Am a Child of God

How Great the Wisdom and the Love

The Lord Is My Light - The Iron Rod

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

Nearer, My God, to Thee

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

The Spirit of God - Abide with Me

I Need Thee Every Hour

Oh My Father - God's Daily Care

Though Deepening Trials - Be Thou Humble

In Humility Our Savior - Sweet Hour of Prayer

Lord Accept Our True Devotion

All Creatures of Our God and King

Father in Heaven, We Do Believe

Sweet Is the Peace the Gospel Brings

Father In Heaven

Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

Before Thee, Lord, I Bow My Head

Guide Me to Thee

By: Talaileva Fa'apoi

October 4th, 2011 

Do You See What I See?

"Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment"
How often are we told not to judge?  Yet, it is through our judgment and preconceived notions that we begin to learn and appreciate what life has to offer.  We learn best from our own mistakes, not the mistakes of others.  Although we can look at another and decide whether or not we want to make the same choices, the appreciation for the life we live and the lessons we've learned come from our own experiences.  We start to understand what we are capable of doing.  We come to a fork in the road and are forced to make a decision that can only come from us - because we will do exactly what we want despite the opinions and views of another.  We discover things about ourselves that we never thought we would find.  We learn how to better prepare if this same situation crosses our path in the future.  If experience is necessary for growth and clear skies, then how do we accumulate good judgment if we are trying to avoid making bad judgments?  And if our judgment is bad regardless, because everything we do is a new experience, then who's judgment are we meant to trust?

"I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions"
Some of us willingly trust in others until they do something that causes us not to trust them anymore.  For the rest of us, we do not trust anyone until they prove they're trustworthy.  Do we risk getting hurt or do we cover all our bases first?  We are often told that "actions speak louder than words" and something I often heard in my younger years - "If you can talk the talk, then walk the walk".  Both of these phrases hold so much truth!  We all say things that we may not necessarily follow through with.  What we say does not have a hold until we can reflect our words with action.

"We judge others by their behavior.  We judge ourselves by our intentions"
How many of us have said or done something with a certain goal in mind, yet those involved reacted to you in a way you did not expect?  All was done with good intentions, right?  Sometimes I think we all have a hard time finding that balance in treating others the same way we would like to be treated.  We attempt to do things with the intent to end with positive results, but the recieving party does not reciprocate what we were trying to put forth.  Instead, it is blown out of proportion and before we know it - we are caught in the middle of a rip.  The only way to get out of a rip is to completely relax.  The more you try to fight it - the stronger the current pulls you under.  Some of us find it hard to let go and minimize all tension.  We think if we just keep swimming then we will eventually get out - this is why people never make it out of rips and end up drowning, or needing rescue.  We think if we stop to take a breath, and relax every muscle we have, then we are giving up - when in fact, it is when we submit ourselves to the current and stop forcing a paddle, that we come out on top and find ourselves in calmer seas.  A dear friend of mine, Natalie, told me "You can win both battles if you allow yourself".  Troubled waters come with risks but challenge the mind, they're easy to miss but hard to find.  Think about it.

"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding about ourselves"
We as humans are flawed in so many ways.  We are so quick to point a finger at a fault within another before we even find the strength and humility to realize that three fingers are pointing back.  If we hate a person, we hate something in him that is part of ourselves.  What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us.  I have made several life long friends in the short life that I've lived, and reflecting on those friendships I have realized that each one of them brought out a different part of me.  Most times, those "parts" were ones I did not like, but as time progressed, I saw that I would never have come to accept that part of myself had they not walked into my life.  Embrace what it is that you 'hate' about another, and ask yourself - do I possess the same hated quality?  Remember, judgments prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances.

"When we judge others, we have no time to love them"
Taking a more spiritual approach, in Matthew chapter 22 versus 36-40, Jesus gives us His two most great commandments - "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy soul" and second "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself".  Both these commandments sum up all traditional ten commandments (if you need a refresher, look in Exodus 20).  Christ's teaching reveals that the first four commandments given to the children of Israel are contained in the first statement above - the last six commandments are contained in the second.  Knowing this, there really is no room for judgment - if it is a law of God, and a commandment given from Christ, then who are we to oppose?

"It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes"
It takes more strength NOT to care about what other people think, than it does TO care.  It is easy to let yourself fall into the judgments of another - it is hard to see yourself for what you truly are and then believe it.  You are who you are - embrace it.  What you see is what you get - accept it.  If you don't like who you are, or what you see - change it.  It is a waste of YOUR time and energy, to cut yourself down due to the judgments of another.  You ARE of value.  Your worth IS of great importance.  And you WILL be all that you want to be and MORE!  Do not limit yourself - God doesn't.  Because if He did, you would not be who you are today, let alone even be here.  He sees the same thing you do - your eyes should match His - and if they don't, you are the one who needs to make the adjustment.  Nobody knows you like YOU do - which is why it is important not to care about what others think.  Trust that you are exactly the way God intended you to be - Creation's Masterpiece, cause God don't make no junk! :)

Take time to Reflect.
Learning from your mistakes will be the best thing you will ever do for yourself.  You need that personal growth.

Have no Regrets.
Mean what you say, and say what you mean.  You need to do more of what you say in support of what you mean - people listen better with their eyes.

Let Go.
Allow yourself to fail.  You will appreciate the feeling of success, if you can see how much you have given up to get there.

Be true to Yourself.
Separate yourself from others.  You will never know another, if you do not know yourself - accept the good AND the bad.

Love one Another.
Render everything for love.  Your life will be so much happier when you push aside faults - give and reciprocate.

Look Inward.
Trust and give yourself credit.  You deserve every bit of praise that has come from seeing yourself as He does - keep that eternal perspective.

  
"[Your] view of the world is a confession of character"

Black or White?

"Judge a man by the questions he asks, rather than the answers he gives"

Have you ever wondered why you always want to do the opposite of what someone tells you?  Or why a good person can do so many bad things?  Maybe it bothers you to watch your best friend keep going back to her abusive boyfriend?  Or you get upset when someone says one thing but their actions show another?  Do you ever get the feeling something bad is going to take place, so you warn the people involved, but nobody believes you until after it has already happened?  Or maybe you felt impressed to do something, but didn't do it because you didn't have time?  Did it ever occur to you that maybe your life is like a play - each person with a script needing direction in every scene? 

We all have this thing called "agency" or "free will".  If life is divinely guided, and everything happens the way it should in the end - do we still have freedom of choice?  If the end result is going to be the same despite the choices made, then does it matter what we choose?  Are we given a divine path to follow with many choices along the way, allowing for a change in course at any given time?  Or are the choices we make, the ones we were supposed to make, and we are still on this same path given and directed through divine nature?

We tend to think that if our lives are a little rocky, it is because we are doing something wrong.  Do you think that maybe it is BECAUSE we're doing everything right, why all of a sudden we need to be tried?  We don't understand why our child does not want to go to church, and that his spiritual withdrawal is leading him astray.  Do you think that maybe this is the path they are supposed to lead, and that maybe this is our trial and not theirs?  We often look at obstacles as if they come from Satan, and that Satan has nothing to do with God.  Do you think that maybe God uses Satan as a puppet in our lives so that we can reach out and become closer to Him? 

We are told that we are not given anything that we cannot handle.  If trials are put into our lives, that He knows we can overcome - then would it be safe to say that despite how we found the end result, He knew it would turn out the way it did?  So then when and where can we exercise our agency if in the end, the results are the same despite the choices we've made previous to that?

In the Bible, we are taught that Satan is cast out of Heaven and that he took a third of the spirits with him.  If this needed to happen in order for The Plan of Happiness to take place, did God then set up His spirit children for failure?  And if Satan was cast out of the presence of God, how was it that he was able to tempt Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden where we know she dwelt with our Heavenly Father?  Did she really have a choice - or was it predetermined?

Maybe these thought provoking questions are offensive to you - I don't know.  What I do know, is that there is opposition in all things.  Without opposition, there is no choice - without choice, we cannot learn - without knowledge, we cannot grow - without progression, there would be no need to question.  When our growth is stunted, we have reached a level of ignorance.  We don't care about the amount of information we still need to acquire, nor do we care about anyone but ourselves - because if we did, we would not have come to a complete halt.  When we stop, we let go of responsibility for any repercussions for the choices we have made.  Although it sounds nice to not have to decide, we lose ourselves when we feel a lack of control.

There was a study I learned about in my psychology class.  A group of people were selected to participate in obeying an authoritative figure.  One by one each subject was put in a room with the domineering officer in charge.  When asked, the subject was to push a buzzer that was believed to zap/electrecute another person in the room next door.  The subject never saw the person being hurt, but was able to hear the screams and cries when shocks were subjected.  The subject was released from all responsibility of the damage and pain caused to the unknown person.  All the subject had to do, was listen to the officer in charge.  If the officer said to push the buzzer, the subject would.  As time went on, the officer became verbally aggressive and even threatening if the subject would not push the buzzer.  The subject continued to push the buzzer if they had the reassurance that they did not have any responsibility for the person in the other room (no persons were actually harmed in this study).  In the end, 100% of the subjects killed the unknown person due to having no responsibility for the hurt individual and following the orders of someone in a position of authority.

How easy is it for us to give away our free will if we don't have to claim the repercussions?

Another study we discussed was one that was supposed to last 7 days - but only made it for 3 or 4.  A group of people were selected to fill the roles of prisoners and guards in a prison cell, resembling a hostage situation during the war in Iraq.  As these days slowly passed, each person had literally become their character and the study had to be stopped.  The prisoners started to mentally decline and the guards had become physically abusive.  Each filling their roles, giving up their will to a 'title' or a 'name', had caused negative results all the way around.

This just goes to show that the agency we hold, even with the expected results that are known only to God - we still find comfort in having some kind of control over the lives we lead.  The questions we ask ALL have room for choice.  The answers we are given, give us a choice - we are shown we CAN decide. 

Whoever came up with "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me" - lied.  Words are the most powerful source of control, so we must be careful in how we use them.  Our names all give us something to live by, and the positions we hold give us a responsibility.  Uphold those names and titles with dignity and reflect what they are meant to portray. 

It is through our inquisition and the magnifying of our personal beliefs, that we find satisfactory answers with the agency we've been given.

Good, Better, and Best

If we have a flow of thoughts that lead from one subject to another, does this mean that we only had one thought?  If we are thinking about our next destination while we are driving, how to operate the vehicle, anticipating the actions of the other drivers, determining the physics involved in simply merging into traffic, and not to mention the road conditions or weather factors - are we able to still think about what we are going to have for dinner when we get home?

I think that several thoughts can cross our mind at once, then we take appropriate action for the thoughts we choose.  Some of these actions are an automatic response.  Our mind recognizes the familiarity of the situation, causing our muscle memory to engage in activity in response to the thought in process.  This can be as simple as turning on our indicator or pushing down on the brake - something that we have done before and takes almost no thinking to do.  Other actions require cognitive thought in order for us to properly perform.  We allow ourselves more time for reasoning and judgment before permitting ourselves to execute the necessary action.  These actions may include positioning one's body correctly in a bench press to maximize muscle strength - defining body language for a specific purpose, or creating thought provoking blogs to probe into the minds of others =) - articulating the change of thought into literature or spoken word.

It is quite obvious that our minds have the capacity to process more than we give ourselves credit for.  We have the ability to delve into activities that depend upon constant brain activity.  We have the power to multi-task and accomplish more in a shorter amount of time.  We have the available resources to continually improve our daily productivity.  We have the knowledge to enhance and expand our learning capabilities.  All of this at our fingertips and what are we doing with it?

So many thoughts only mean one thing - Choice.

In every circumstance, good or bad, we ALWAYS have a choice.  Being faced with a choice may be the onset of many thoughts - or unguided pondering may have lead to having to choose.  We all expect our options to be "one or the other", or maybe the "upside or downside" - when really, the hardest decisions we face are those that are presented with all positive options.  It does not matter which option you choose, it will be good either way.  You believe that in some aspect of your life, you will benefit from it whether you know it or not.  Once the decision is made, you follow through whole heartedly - it's just making the decision that is difficult.  This is when you pull out a piece of paper and write down your pro's and con's for each option given.  Categorize.

If all possibilities are laid out on the table, the less likely it will be for you to feel uneasy after the decision is made.  Be honest with your options, because you're only doing this for you anyway.  You can seek the opinion of others, or wait and risk losing an opportunity - but when all is said and done, your decision and motives are solely dependent upon you.  Nobody can tell you what to do, how to live, or what your life should resemble.  You are the only one who has the power to alter the life you live.  Let your thoughts be filled with clarity and honesty - this will make this part of the process so much easier.  Filter.

Accept the responsibilities that come with the choice you've made.  Don't leave room for blame, guilt and apologies - take what you have, and run with it.  Own who, where, and what you are - you are the only one that can.  Be okay with whatever repercussions may follow.  Enjoy the good, let go of the bad.  From here on out, it is most likely that the chain reaction of events are out of your control.  Recognize.

A good decision will never be a hit to the short-stop - although it maybe the hardest to avoid, easy never meant for satisfaction to be long lasting.

The better decision will be playing fair game for all teams involved - although each player is equally ranked, when expectations fail power play will have it's way.

Your BEST decision will be to cover all your bases - although this is the most difficult, nobody said a homerun hit would be an easy thing to do.

......... but keep running.

To Be Or Not To Be?

How often do we believe that we need to be someone or something we know we couldn't or ever will be?  It is not that we cannot achieve great things, or be more than we currently are - it is just about being who we are, right here and now, accepting it, and not worrying about what everybody else has to say about it. 

Dreams are more than just subconscious worlds we create while laying asleep at night.  Goals have become more than kicking a ball into a soccer net.  Soaring has taken more flight than a paper plane.  The sky is NOT the limit.  We think that we have to stop once we've hit the clouds, but there is so much more out there to discover.  There is more than what meets the eye.  People are afraid of what they do not understand.  Knowledge is power and power is knowledge - without that, we would be little minion's conforming to the views and dictations of another.  The more we know, the more ability we have to be independent.  We give ourselves the power to protect ourselves.  We enable our righteous dominion in trusting our inner instincts.  We allow the sole's of our feet to sink into the back of our shoes and take off in a sprint.  We take note of all the different scenes, picking up bystanders along the way. 

Stop.  Just Breathe.  Don't Think.  Let Go.  Be YOU. 

Sometimes we feel that what we are is not enough.  We trick ourselves into thinking that what we are doing will never measure up.  We betray our peaceful feelings with negativity and doubt.  We spend days on end wondering if we are on our God given path - not realizing we are right on track.  We let people in and out of our lives, for the wrong and right reasons.  Our minds are occupied with worry over situations that are out of our control.  It becomes easier to blame ourselves for other people's failed expectations.  We put fault in places that were without imperfection. 

Stop.  Just Breathe.  Don't Think.  Let Go.  Be YOU.

Let me tell you - everything we face - the hurt, pain, and anguish are ALL purposeful for our personal growth.  Without sadness, we would not know happiness.  We would not progress if we were not tried.  If everything were handed to us on a silver platter, the meaning of achievement and gratitude would mean absolutely nothing.  Who YOU are, and what YOU are doing IS enough!  Those feelings of peace ARE in fact REAL and there is NOTHING in this world that can replicate that.  Your friendships are as meaningful as you make them - make them worth it without the interference of others.  Don't fret over something that is out of your control - put your time to better use and accept your circumstances.  Stop blaming yourself for not letting others live vicariously through you.  I am a firm believer in everything happening for a reason - most times, those reasons are not known or clear to us.  All we can do, is trust that this is part of The Great Plan and to continue living faithfully, finding peace in what brings us the most happiness.

Stop.  Just Breathe.  Don't Think.  Let Go.  Be YOU.

It is because we understand the feelings of disappointment, the never-ending self doubt, and the continual heartache - that we come to appreciate the pleasure we find in the simple joys of life.  Our love for another increases when a baby finds warmth and safety in our arms.  The urge to serve grows deep within us as we aid to someone in need, and see the smile upon their face.  These indescribable feelings would be impossible to explore if we go through life with a security blanket.  Check yourself out of 'Heartbreak Hotel' and start opening yourself to bigger and better opportunities.  Drop the facade and be honest with yourself and those around you.  Do not be ashamed to hold your head high even if many are against you. 

Stop.  Just Breathe.  Don't Think. Let Go.  Be YOU.

In a classroom scene from "10 Things I hate About You" - there is a quote on the wall that says "What is popular is not always right, what is right is not always popular".  If you have become the minority, do not think that what you are doing is wrong.  Discover.  Explore.  There is a reason you are feeling the way you do.  The thought would not cross your mind if the information was not out there for you to find.  Those around you have not walked into your life accidentally.  Sometimes things happen and we are put into situations that have a specific purpose.  We know in our heart that we are exactly where we are meant to be, doing exactly what it is we are doing - but then we start to question our actions, limit ourselves, undermine divinity, and over-analyze with our heads and disregard the feelings within.  This is when confusion overrides, corruption takes place, and human nature takes it's course.

STOP.  Just Breathe.  Don't think.  Let Go.  Be YOU.

Allow yourself the time to dig deep - find what makes you, YOU - look at the life you lead - ask yourself, is this really you?

Allow yourself the space to disperse your emotions - hold onto the ones worth keeping - open yourself to another - ask yourself, are you being honest?

Allow yourself the energy to expand - learn from your mistakes - give yourself power - ask yourself, is this a good investment?

Dream Big.  Aspire Higher.  No Regrets. 

Understand that there is no other YOU in this world.  You are not a clone.  No other person could fill your shoes.  Be who you are without doubt or fear.  Hold your head high with dignity.  Accept yourself and the responsibilities that follow.  Many will try to bring you down - but if you believe in yourself, and are living life for YOU - they will not have power over you.  Hold your ground.  Be true to yourself.. and give yourself a little more credit :)

Move Forward.  Keep Breathing.  Think Freely.  Hold on.  Remain YOU!