“We become good at what we repeatedly do.”

“What we believe determines how we behave.”

If we think we will always be the way we are, if we think we are incapable of change, then we will continue to be the way we are.

“Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.” – Tony Robbins

We usually stay the same until we become discontent or frustrated with the way things are to the point that we admit, become aware of, and name the problem.

Once we acknowledge there is a problem and admit what is not working this usually opens us up to seek a new way, to try something different.

A catalyst for change in my life was a series of disorienting events over a 3-year period (2013-2016) that shook my foundation, things I had believed in crumbed to the ground, people I had trusted my whole life did things that shattered that trust. Also, we moved to a different state. I started a new job. Our whole family was adjusting. Things were uncertain and there were lots of changes that I could not control.

At first, I tried to just keep going, to do all the things I had always done; please, perfect, perform, but that just ate away at my soul, and I began to move into despair.

But thankfully God.

I kept seeking God. I believed He would teach me a better Way. I cried out. I read scripture. I sat in silence in His Presence. I admitted there was a problem. I practiced awareness of the problem by naming it. I sought desperately to find solutions. I was open to receive. I began to accept what is, be honest with myself about reality. I was open to a new Way. I practiced awareness and discovering and applying and figuring out how to live differently. I persisted and practiced and tried and persisted and practiced and tried little by little learning self-compassion and how to say no and to set boundaries to maintain my values. I practiced living in abundance, living an integrated life.

Things that helped me and continue to help me stay rooted in Truth and in God’s Love….

I journal, taking all my thoughts and feelings to God.

I say mantras, words of Truth repeatedly throughout the day.

I listen to worship songs and sing worship songs in my head, focusing on Truth.

I meditate, sitting quietly in God Presence.

I read God’s Word and claim it over my life.

I seek godly counsel.

And I read books that speak Truth and help me to discover a new Way.

In my moments of despair, when I was sinking into sadness and was uncertain of what to do next or where to find answers, God led me to discover what I needed. He provided.

I discovered the work of Brené Brown, then Dr. Caroline Leaf, also Rob Bell, and Shauna Niequist to name a few who were incredibly helpful for me. I sought the godly counsel of Caroline Vogel. Then I joined Life Mentoring School.

I continue to practice and be intentional about creating the life I want.

I believed I could change. More specifically I believed God could help me change as I spent time with Him. I rooted, grounded, centered myself in His Truth and did the work of unlearning old ways and habits, that were no longer serving me, and did the work of learning new habits, practicing and practicing and practicing.

It is an on-going journey. I will always be in the process of becoming.

We are either letting other people define who we are becoming, just being led along by the world, or we are choosing to live intentionally and create the life we want.

One of my favorite quotes, that has had a huge impact on my life, is from Louder Than Words by Andy Stanley.

“Who will you be in five years? Ten years? I’m not referring to your role or job title. For just a moment, lay aside the dreams that involve your career or net worth. I’m talking about what you hope to find on the inside. What kind of person do you hope to become?

Today, you took a step. You either moved closer to or further away from what you hoped to be. Most people moved further away. A handful overcame the negative inertia of this fallen world and moved forward. But nobody — nobody — stood still.”

I have implanted God’s truth in my life, grounded myself in His Love, and God has expanded my capacity, He has activated His miracle and mystery in my life, and I am being transformed! (I could not be more thankful!!!)

In the devotional You are the Beloved by Henri Nouwen, he says, “I am more and more convinced that we will find the peace and joy of Christ when we let Him truly enter into the deepest places of our heart, especially those places where we are afraid, insecure, and self-rejecting.”

Wherever you are today, whatever you are experiencing, know there is HOPE!

There is HOPE because God loves you! He made you! He calls you good! He wants to lavish you with his love. God wants you to experience freedom in Him! Keep going! Keep seeking! Root, ground, center yourself in His Truth! Discover, and be blessed! Activate His miracle and mystery in your life!