How Struggles Create Awareness and Help Us Grow

Are you experiencing struggles right now?

Man change is hard, even when you choose to make the change. Thank God for the awesome November weather we’ve been having, it helped tons as I struggled BIG time last week.

It was my McSmeetchies first week at his new job. I was sad, lonely and didn’t sleep the entire week. It’s amazing how nice it is just to have another body in your home, even if in another room. Struggles help us grow and create awareness if we choose to be open.

1. We all go through struggles, challenges, and obstacles. You are not alone. We ALL have seasons in life that are hard and challenging. Choose to learn from that season. Sit and be still, journal, reflect, pray, reach out to friends and/or family. Struggles help us grow and be our best selves if we choose to grow.

2. Time helps/heals. As time goes on and we move forward, it does get easier. This week is way better than last week. Soon, this will become our new norm and we’ll get more use to it. I don’t have to love it or even like it, but I will get use to it and it will get easier. No matter where you’re at, there is tomorrow. It’s like that famous quote…“What a difference a day can make.”, so true! A day can make a HUGE difference. Tomorrow can be better and brighter, hang in there.

3. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. It’s interesting how easy it is to take people in your life for granted. When I went down to Chicagoland this past weekend to visit, there was an excitement and joy in the air, like we were dating all over again. Love notes (like the one above), hand holding, snuggles, etc. It was really cute. Being away from J.C. has helped me realize just how much I really love him and enjoy him. I think it’s helping us appreciate each other even more than we already did. Even though it’s hard, it is reinvigorating our marriage.

I believe challenges can create awareness and help us be our best selves if we choose to grow and be open. I’m not saying it’s easy, but there is good in it if you choose to see the good. It’s perspective. It’s all in how we choose to see things. I choose to see the good, to be open, to give thanks for new opportunities, to learn and grow, and to trust in the Lord.

When challenges and/or changes come your way, what will your perspective be?

Take a moment this week and tell the people around you just how important they are to you.

Shine Brightly,
Ali