Hope On

I get it. Whether it's an emotional, physical, work-related, relationship-altering shift, you've transitioned. You've done it. Or maybe mentally you've done it and the completion of the change is looming and incomplete. But in a significant way, you've stepped out into an unknown place. Been there? Are you there now? 

I've been thinking about these moments again recently. These places of challenge and risk. Growth springs forth in these transitions. All at once they can be exhilarating and terrifying. I wonder if that resonates with you? 

This will get personal. I'm there. I'm in the midst of another such leap in my work and personal life. I spent yesterday crying off and on throughout the day. There were moments I celebrated the tears because I was feeling the tension of this very good shift in my life. But there was another when I found Shame knocking on my front door. He wanted to throw a party and stay awhile. 

"Who do you think you are?" he demanded. "Do you really think you're going to be okay? There's no safety net for you... Haven't you thought this through to the logical conclusion?"

Fear followed him in. "He's right... You don't have it together." He quipped. "You're being irresponsible and there's no way this is going to work out."

There were others. My house felt crowded, the atmosphere heavier by the minute. I kept listening to them. It's no surprise, but the tears got worse.

But then, I had a moment of clarity. It was as though a fresh wind blew through my house and aired out all of the icky. (That was especially amazing because it's Florida and it's August and we do not dare to open our windows at the moment...)

All I heard was, "Step by step." This came gently, softly.

I cried again, but this time with hope.

"Step by step," I repeated. Yes, of course! I only need to consider the very next step and the reality is that's what I had been doing. (Before I let them take over my house and throw their party, I mean...)

It was simple. It was beautiful. It was a word filled with LIFE.  

If you're there, too I say this to you and once again, to myself: HOPE ON AND KEEP GOING.

Praise is the Path

Whether you prefer to call it praise, gratitude or thankfulness, one thing is for certain: When enduring uncertain or difficult times, praise is the path! I don't know about you, but there are mornings (recent mornings) when I wake up and feel the weights come down upon me immediately. My life has been shifting in some significant ways recently and concerns and cares flood my mind as soon as my eyes flutter open. (Your eyes flutter open, too, right?)

The past two weeks I've been practicing praise. I begin by remembering there are new mercies for me today. There are people I get to connect with and learn from out there in the world. I am ALIVE and have the privilege of living my life in these minutes and hours, whatever may come. I get out of bed and wander along the hallway to the kitchen. I fill a glass with water and drink it down. And then I make the coffee. First things first, right? (Hehe. It's a start...)

So today, even if it's started in an unlovely way, I encourage you: Take a moment, breathe deeply and speak aloud five or seven things you're grateful for in this moment. If life is extra rough, keep it simple. Be grateful for that glass of water or the cup of coffee or ... You get the idea.