So… this post is about to get real personal. This is something I have wanted to share for a long time, but as we all know… it can be very difficult to open up and share something that is personal and makes you feel vulnerable. I do however feel like if there is anywhere I can share my thoughts, it’s here on my blog. After all, that is what a blog is for right? If you’re here to look for pretty pictures, then I would advise you to skip over this post to the next one. But if you want to read something that is 100% real, from a normal girl who has normal feelings, then keep reading.
As you may already know, I am a dreamer and an extremely hopeful and positive person. The way I portray myself through different means of social media, are truly, the real me. You can ask any of my closest friends and family… I am a very happy person, absolutely love life and always see it through rose-colored glasses. I absolutely feel this way almost all of the time. But there are definitely days every now and then where I might feel discouraged or down about something. See, the truth is… there have been many things that have happened in my life that have hurt me so deeply. Torn me to pieces. Things that have happened that have made me question EVERYTHING. Things that have made me want to completely give up on it all. Things I would never wish upon anyone. And things that could have very easily turned me into a cold, unhappy, bitter and negative person. My life has been far from perfect and I have definitely had my share of pain in life. Through it all though, I was determined to never let anything or anyone change the hope I have always held in my heart. I refused to let bad things define me. It was so hard at times, and I mean hard. The temptation of giving up and becoming unattached, and turned off by the world, was great at many times in my life. But the saying, “what doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger” couldn’t be more true. I chose to fight through the pain I have suffered and it truly made me so much better and so much stronger. When I finally came out on the other side of my “dark time”, I was SO grateful that God allowed me to go through the pain, because I could see such a difference in myself. I came out an even more hopeful and more positive person than ever before and it has only continued to grow ever since. I really believe that God allows us to go through things sometimes that we don’t understand so that he can mold us into the person he created us to be. I believe that with all of my heart. I know that it’s so easy to question and say “Why me!?” because trust me, I have definitely had my times of asking that question. I have for sure had weak moments of doubt and negativity. Things will still happen from time to time that test my strength and hope. I don’t ever expect life to be perfect and I know it never will be… but I am so determined that no matter what comes my way, no matter what hurt is thrown into my life, I will never give up on myself, my dreams and my hopes.
As I grow older, I realize more and more that EVERYONE is hurting or has hurt at some point in their life. Pain is all around us. And I guess the reason I am writing this post is to let you know that there is always hope. There is always a rainbow after the storm. And there is always a reason to NEVER quit… never give up. And that you should never ever let anything or anyone steal your hope or your joy in life. We only get one life to live and I am so determined that mine will be a happy one no matter what comes my way. We are all going to have days sometimes that we may feel hopeless, but just never stop getting up after you have fallen. Never quit no matter how much it hurts. Never stop believing in GOOD and in GOD. He has truly taught me SO SO much through the hardest times in my life but only because I let Him. Yeah sure, I may have fought it from time to time (and still do sometimes!!), but ultimately I know that He is taking care of me. He has never let me down and He has never stopped loving me. He is the true reason I am SO happy and so full of hope and love. In my mind and heart, I cannot imagine living any other way. Even when things seem gray, I know that deep in my heart the best is still yet to come.
I’ve used this quote before in a past post, but I think it’s completely appropriate to post again:
I encourage you that if you are suffering pain… face it, BE INSPIRED by it… and fly high.
I want to share with you a song that inspires the very core of who I am. It’s from my favorite band, Red. I have put the lyrics below and also placed a video from YouTube so you can listen to it. (download the song on itunes to hear a better version though!) Whenever I do feel discouraged or am needing some inspiration, I listen to this song and it brings me right back to where I know I need to be. It’s called The Best is Yet to Come and I believe every bit of that. I hope it inspires you as much as has for me.
RED – THE BEST IS YET TO COME
Afraid it won’t come round again
Afraid to move on
Wishing I could go back when
Everything was easier and made for me
Wanting all we left behind
Like its the answer
An hour glass we can’t rewind
Holding back the life that I’ve been at for so long
Can I find my way to you
And After all that we’ve been through
And after all we left in pieces
I still believe our lives have just begun
Cause now the past can be outrun
And I know you are the reason
I still believe the best is yet to come
A Photograph’s still in your hands
Afraid to let it go
The minutes rain like grains of sand
And time is just a war that’s stealing dreams from within
So come and take them back again
And After all that we’ve been through
And after all we left in pieces
I still believe our lives have just begun
Cause now the past can be outrun
And I know you are the reason
I still believe the best is yet to come
I won’t turn around
Let it all slip away
I’m never backing down
Cause tomorrow’s a new day
And everything can change
And After all that we’ve been through
And after all we left in pieces
I still believe our lives have just begun
Cause now the past can be outrun
And I know you are the reason
I still believe the best is yet to come
