The sermon this past Sunday at church was all about change, a topic that is especially relevant for me this year. Do you have that friend that just keeps having bad things happen to them and no matter what, it just seems to get worse for awhile before it gets better? Well, I have realized it was my year to be that friend. You never quite understand the struggle until it is you climbing the mountain of disasters. Lucky for me I can laugh about it and when my friends have listed my year of grievances, it is comical.

So there I was in church, listening to the pastor discuss change, while I quietly re-lived the last year and a half in my head. By the time we got to communion, my mind was racing.  That sermon was God’s way of telling me to slow down. I need to be patient and have faith that far better things lie ahead. My resolution for 2016 is to be more intentional and present in the moment. I often try to do too much and stress myself out in the process.

I saw a quote a few months ago that has stuck with me: “You change for two reasons: either you learn enough that you want to, or you’ve been hurt enough that you have to.”

Have you learned a valuable lesson (maybe repeatedly), but have not put change into action to address this lesson? Or have you repeatedly been hurt and yet you have not done anything to prevent this from happening again? Keep in mind this is easier said than done. I keep a running list of ideas in a notebook that include random thoughts, things that made me laugh, and to-dos.

Disclaimer: You should never change for someone else, but you can and should seek opportunities to change for the better. As scary as change is (and most people are change averse), it is less scary when you remind yourself that the guy upstairs knows what he is doing and has big plans for you.

I recently met with one of my mentors and we discussed the ‘I don’t give a F bomb’ people. We both agreed we will never be those people. Actually, I do care. I care way too much about other people and my actions. Your life will be a lot less stressful if you never care about anything, but what is the point of that? Your purpose is driven by your passions, which is what you CARE about. Find a healthy balance – don’t sweat the small stuff, but do care about the big stuff.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” – Proverbs 3:5

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

Xx, Libby