I am one of those people who changes slowly, almost imperceptibly. At least I hope so, because that's what I'm banking on! ;)
I volunteered this semester with a women's eating disorder group called Fed Up With Food. It was an empowering group with many beautiful, strong women. Strong because they came up face to face with their weaknesses every day. Battled every day. And overcame, or failed only to rise up again every day. What character! What strength! These women were vulnerable, open, and honest about their triumphs and failures and every time they fell down, they kept getting back up...that takes a whole different kind of strength. I am honored to know them. As a "mentor," I learned so much through their miracles, courage, and positive change. I hope to keep that same spirit of progress as I enter into a new year.
2015 will be a different kind of year for me. 2014 was great, but it was a year fraught with great struggles, great failures, but ultimately great triumphs. However, I don't want a repeat! It was hard. So hard! When it's done it's done. No looking back. No doubts. I will just live and appreciate how far I've come. I am grateful that I get to begin each day fresh with no mistakes in it. I am grateful for a new year and a new beginning. 2015 will be a monumental year. Why? I choose to make it so. I am so grateful for God. For gratitude. For the Atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ which empowers me to repent and make the changes I want to make! That's all repentance is, the opportunity to make a change for the better. And who doesn't want that?! Who doesn't want to be a little happier, a little smarter, wiser, stronger, and everything-er?! In all my struggles I feel so close to Him. I feel His arms around me. I know I am not alone. The witness I have of my Savior Jesus Christ is so real. My testimony of Him is my greatest treasure and my greatest source of hope, strength, life, and light. I am so grateful to be His witness and declare unto the world the reality of His life, His light, and the power of His Atonement. He knows YOU. He knows what YOU struggle with every day and He knows YOU can overcome it, because He already did it for you. He knows YOUR hopes, and dreams, fears, failures and future successes. He wants YOU to be happy. He wants YOU to realize your full potential. And with Him, and with God nothing shall be impossible! But we have to make the effort to come unto Him. That's His commandment: "Come, follow me." That's it. Just start there. That's what I do.
So that's where I will start with my new year. I feel like this year I've come a long way in really shifting my paradigm of what I consider success. In how I view myself and others. In how I strive to live from day to day. But this is not enough. I am not content with a little change. I feel a great measure of happiness and life awaits me! I know I can be happier! Live more fully! I know that I can beat down the demons which rise up from time to time. But I know that I cannot do this alone. I don't really know where I want to begin. I don't really know what needs to change yet. But I know that as I simply move forward trusting in God that the way will be cleared and the answers will come. I know that because that's how my life has been thus far: a journey into the light through the dark! So onward and upward I go! :)
