Being thankful for lessons

Do you know that EVERY SINGLE situation you walk through in life is either a CHALLENGE or an OPPORTUNITY?

Let that sit for a minute. Every situation. Every decision. Every move you make is either a challenge or an opportunity. Either a setback or a step forward.

And… and we get to choose.

Ladies and gentlemen. Life does not have to happen around you or even to you. Grab the reigns and take charge! Decide from this moment on who you want to be, what you want to stand for, and how you will live your life. We are not defined by our past decisions or our mistakes. We have the opportunity to re-write our story now, tomorrow, and next week. Do not feel stuck, friend. Sitting in the stuck is a limiting belief, and that does not define who you are and where you can go!

Choose to be grateful for the hard times you’ve walked through and the blessings you have experienced, because each and every one taught you something and can be seen as an opportunity to grow.

Guys. I freaking love where I’m at. I’m not where I want to be, but every day I am learning and growing and becoming the woman I envision. Sure, I have my own setbacks. Yes, I’m not always progressing. But I’m gaining experience and knowledge and letting my own roots – my personal beliefs – grow deeper and deeper, and I am loving every second.

My life has not been perfect. But that doesn’t stop me from dreaming BIG.

I trashed my credit in my twenties, and have spent ten long years fixing it. I’ve learned the hard way how to handle finances, and that’s alright.

I have two failed marriages under my belt, and with those experiences, I have learned what I am and am not willing to put up with. I’ve learned what I need my partner to bring to our relationship, and what I need to bring to help him be his best self. I have learned how to set boundaries. I’m not perfect, and I make mistakes every day. But my mistakes do not define me. I choose to forgive myself, learn, and move on.

I’ve lost too many people in my life that I loved to suicide. I am just now reaching a place in my life where I can be a tool and support to others, encouraging them to address their mental health and normalize conversations surrounding mental wellness. I choose empathy and growth and to turn my story into something that might inspire others.

I choose to see the good in most situations. I choose to be happy. I choose to love.

Your past does not get to tell you what kind of person you get to be today. We all make mistakes. That’s how we learn! Here is an older post on making peace with our past that you may find helpful. Make amends. Forgive yourself, and allow yourself to dream.

This life, this one life we have been blessed with, is 100% what we make of it. Choose to be grateful for the lessons you have lived, the trauma you have survived, and the obstacles you have overcome. You are freaking amazing, and you have so much to offer. Believe in yourself ❤️