For the better or for the worse.
We all have made decisions we would love to change, or we wish we could go back and do it over.
However, every single decision has led you to where you are.
It has created the character we have, the strength we emit, the compassion we release.
When I look at some of the decisions I’ve made, oh how I wonder how life would be different.
If I would’ve said yes to that move, or no to that job, or stood up for myself more in that relationship.
Whatever it may be, we are exactly who we are because of the decisions we’ve made and how we’ve handled decisions others around us have made
I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if any choice I made was different.
I may have had less pain, or may have caused less pain, or may have been in a different place.
But maybe it would’ve been more painful, more restrictive, less joyous.
I am who I am, and you are who you are.
And I propose we are exactly where we are meant to be.
We’ve failed, we messed up, we missed it. But we’ve also grown.
We’ve blossomed, we found our voice, our strength, and what we love.
Every day is filled with hundreds of decisions and choices.
We get to make our lives what we want them to be and how we want them to look!
You wouldn’t be you if you hadn’t gone through that.
And I’m sorry for every hardship and heartache you’ve faced.
I don’t diminish that. It was hard.
I’ve had my own.
But I’m grateful because they’ve made me, me.
I wouldn’t be who I am without having to fight hard to get to where I am.
You wouldn’t either.
You’re on the uphill climb! You’ve got this! I believe in you!
No matter what comes your way, you are you and you are exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Don’t forsake the little things, for those are massive victories!
Be proud of where you’ve came from and what you’ve done!
There’s a beautiful future that lies on the path ahead of you.

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False Connection
With social media, there is a continual striving to be seen, known or “liked” that sets our standard of value. If we have thousands of “likes” from across the world it signifies a higher value. Why? It fills a need to connect, to be seen. When we reach for the phone to check our instagram or facebook, what is the motivation? We are looking to see if anyone has “liked” us, if we have been accepted or noticed. This is a short lived high when we see a “like” or recognition. It fuels a technology addiction of needing more, wanting more and brings about comparison. This false connection leaves us feeling lonelier than before and needing to perform to live up to the standards of people who may not even know or have had hardly any personal interaction with. Our lives become dictated by what others think of us. This can have a devastating impact on our lives.

Real Connection
Connection does not come from a large following on social media. True connection starts with spending time with yourself, connecting with your heart, being aware of your needs, and finding ways to meet those needs in healthy ways. When you are connected to yourself, you are then able to connect with others. At this point, you will not be expecting others to speak to your value, but instead to enhance your life. Real connection comes from finding people who you are able to be vulnerable with. This connection allows you to share your heart, your dreams, your desires, and people where you can be fully yourself. Performing to please someone or to be someone that people expect you to be kills real connection. When you find the people you can do life with, those who see you in your worst moments and still choose to love you, then you will find what your destiny and what you were created for.

Technology is great, until it isn’t. The next time you reach for your phone or computer to check social media, check your heart. Ask why. If you are lonely, hurting or in pain, contact a friend instead to meet for coffee or an art show. True connection starts with connecting with yourself to know your needs so you can truly connect with others and allow them in.

*You were made on purpose for a purpose!

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