Path of growth and change...

"Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life"  Herbert Otto

I've had ups and I've had downs. I've had it all and I've had nothing. But I NEVER gave up on believing that my day would come. This took me to believe on the inside what I felt and believed on the outside. Which meant (for me) to walk head strong through fear and loneliness. Never giving up on what I really wanted in life. I had to be willing to walk through some fear, reminding myself the whole time that I was worthy and deserving of what I wanted. Now this is not to say that I did not have a lot of disappointments along the way. But I refused to believe that I could not have what I wanted in life. The same happiness and joy that so many around me already have. It is human to be disappointed when we don't get what we want. And it is ok to feel that disappointment for a moment, but not dwell on it. It is when we dwell on the disappointment that we forget to trust that God has something different in store for us, something way better than what we could ever imagine. When we worry about future wants and past disappointments, we don't leave room in ourselves for the present. And often times will miss out on what is right in front of us.

Good things come to those who wait and NEVER give up hope. Having hope makes every day easier and more gentle. In time we will understand that hope makes it possible for us to expect more positive outcomes to our problems. It's so often true that what we expect is just what we get. If you expect nothing than you get nothing. If you partake on this journey, experimenting with your life, taking risks and chances, stepping outside of your comfort zone than good things are sure to happen for you. Involvement is a prerequisite if we are to grow. When we look toward the day with anticipation, we are open to all the possibilities for action. Open to new growth and good things in our lives. Looking on the bright side of life can't make our struggles worse! A very dear friend that has since passed use to say "today I choose to walk on the sunny side of the street" now I know what he meant by that. Idly observing life from the sidelines guarantees no development beyond our present level. Leaving us in the shade.

Our experiences, past and present, are not coincidental. There is no such thing as coincidence. All things happen for a reason. Both good and bad. We need to remind ourselves that no experience will attract us beyond what we are capable of handling. If God brings you to it, he'll bring you through it. Reflecting on the past reveals that indeed we do find the strength and the ability to cope with whatever experience ripples our calm. Validate your life experience to unblock what's ahead. Feel the pain and move past it. We continue to learn and grow with each life experience. You'll soon discover that the lessons we learn are not the things we expected. We learn how to learn. We become more accepting and open to life being a process with no shortcuts to the truth. We learn to engage in the process and accept that there usually is no right or wrong answer. When we become willing to be honest, open and humble then we will learn trust and will surely make progress in our journey of life. We MUST make life happen, not let life happen to us. This is not a dress rehearsal folks. We only get one shot at this life. Make the most of it. Be the victor not the victim!!

As always please keep the men and woman of all branches of military in your prayers so that they may one day have a safe return home as they are out there protecting our HEALTHY FREEDOMS for us. God bless.