Things Change

If the past year has taught me anything, it's that - more often than not - things don't go as I plan. Sometimes it's because life happens and sometimes it's because I change my mind. Whatever the reason, things change.

I'm sure you've seen this happen in your own life. You're heading down one road but all of a sudden there's a lane closure and you're forced to take a detour. I'm not talking about your latest road trip (though I'm sure we can all agree that literal detours are no fun either) but rather your most recent life plan. Maybe you were taking classes for a degree but finances ran out. Or you were working a job you love but you were let go. Life happens and things change.

Now I realize that I've written about this before, but it's been three years and I have a different story for my motivation. You see, in the last year I've headed a few different directions (not all at the same time, but one after the other) and either it didn't work out or I just changed my mind. And today was no different. Today, a dream I thought I wanted and would be really good at turned out not to be right for me. When I realized that, I was discouraged and frustrated but not as badly as I thought I should be. I was texting my old roommate about this and she said, "Who are you really trusting in? God is giving you His peaces with a closed door. Don't be scared. Be excited! Enjoy the ride!" What an awesome response! I'm so appreciative of her for bringing that into focus because it's so easy to get brought down by unfulfilled expectations. 

What about you? When life doesn't go as you plan or you find you have to change your dreams to adapt, what is your response? Because I can tell you this: Changes are scary but changes can be really exciting at the same time. Remember that next time you face an unexpected detour in your journey.

In the meantime you may be asking what my new plans are. Well I can say with a great deal of certainty that for the first time in a while, I'm going to try to enjoy where I'm at. But every day I want to make a choice that will me get where I want to be.

So tell me about your plans. What are your life goals? If you could do anything, what would it be?

Or how about a time in your life when things changed. How did you respond? What happened as a result of that response?

Everything Takes Time

Wow. It's been awhile, friends. And don't think for a moment that I forgot about this blog because I never did. But you know how it goes. You have good intentions and then life happens. That's one thing I can say with certainty: In the past six months, life has definitely happened.

It's been crazy - and I don't remember a lot of it - but as I've been reflecting on my months of silence, it occurs to me that there are many reasons I never wrote. Sometimes I didn't think I had anything to say that was worth reading. Other times I didn't feel like it. But for the most part it was because I didn't want to take the time.

This summer, though, I'm realizing that everything takes time. Whether it's accomplishing a goal, encouraging a friend, or processing grief, nothing happens in a split second. You have to allow time in order to see any sort of fruit.

And that's why I'm finally here. Because I realize that this blog is something I like to take time for. Maybe everyone won't read everything I post. But if I think something is worth sharing, why not take the chance? 

So here's to the next season of life, the next steps on my Journey. I'm excited - and scared - by the unknowns but I'm finally ready to take the time to pursue some long-standing dreams.

What do you wish you could make time for in your life? 

Share in the comments and then go out and DO IT!