Dear thighs,

Dear thighs,

I don't think I thank you guys enough. For one reason or the other I always seem to be so preoccupied in pointing out your flaws, the shape of the skin that falls around your muscle, how the left is bigger than the right, or how both are bigger than all the girls ( I selectively notice) around me. However day in and day out you lift me up without fail. Every day since the one I was born you have been my go-getters, fearless adventurers, my own magic carpet ride from point A to point B. Without so much as a questionable doubt it has been you all along. I may have had some pretty harsh expectations for you but you have met and exceeded every necessary task I have ever thrown your way. Nature or not, nurture or not, you two are pretty bad-A and for literally carrying me through the last 23 years without cease, I salute. I thank you. I love you. Here's to the next 23+ years and wherever you guys and life decide to take me.

Here's to the good in life.

I hope you take these moments and how they make you feel and you hold onto them for life. I hope that in this moment as you realize how amazing, how awesome, and capable, and stunning you are that you keep that realization with you forever. It's in this moment that truth is brought to light. It's in this moment that you finally believe in what was inside of you all along: greatness, strength, intelligence, ingenuity and grace. 

Hold on to it all because when bad moments come to try and steal what is so rightfully yours - and they will try - it will be hard to come back to that place of truth and light. It will feel like the darkness and its lies are winning. However, do not fear my dear. Pay it no mind because fear is only False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear knows your worth and tries to distract you from knowing it too. Hold on to the moments of joy, contentment, peace, strength and hope. They are truth and under no circumstance will truth ever fail, flee or falter.

Let it go but hold on

While the idea of letting go is good and all, don’t dismiss the notion of holding on either. Hold on to good, hold onto what you desire, what makes you to grow, and most especially, hold onto yourself.

A few months ago, I attended a night service at my church and that is when I was called to hold on to who I am. I remember sitting down in a row not too far from the front when all of a sudden the guest pastor we had speaking that night came up to me, looked me directly in the eye and said, “You need to stand permanent. Make your declaration. Don’t let people question who you are or give you your own definition of who you are. Put a stamp on your life and make it distinct. Don’t leave trash in your life; pick it up. Don’t let things just happen, plan!” Now I may have missed out on a few other lines because I was taken a bit back by his candor and boldness but t after a while I understood what he meant.

God has so much in store for me - for all of us - but I’m never going to see it if I don’t clear all the things in my way. Moments in life are gonna come in and move your life so far off path that you won’t know which way is left. There are going to be situations when it feels like the opposing force has won and the best thing to do is surrender. To all of that, I say NO. Make a stand for yourself and remain strong in it. Even to all the great and good-intentioned suggestions, it’s okay to say no. Know what you want, know who you are and forge on.

You might think, what if Susie doesn’t like it or I wonder what Jamie will say to me now. It’s okay if people cannot accept your growth. Be you and the right people will come. Not only that, but the right things like moments and opportunities will find themselves at your feet ready to fall into place. Stop working so hard for a fake fit when you can have a solid deal in the easiest way possible - being you. It might take sometime in the beginning because truthfully told it does take so much courage to be who you are. Fortunately, staying on that path is worth the fight and the time spent.

 I just want to share a song that rings so true to me and I hope it helps you too. It’s by one of my all time favorite bands, Needtobreathe. It’s called Slumber (click on the image below to listen to the song).

Days they force you
Back under those covers
Lazy mornings they multiply
But glory’s waiting
Outside your window
So wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes

Tongues are violent
Personal and focused
Tough to beat with
Your steady mind
But hearts are stronger after broken
So, wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes

All these victims
Stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while
Your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes

Take from vandals
All you want now
Please, don’t trade it in for life
Replace the feeble
With the fable
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes

All these victims
Stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while
Your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes

Come on
Sing like we used to
Dance when you want to
Taste of the breakthrough
And open wide

All these victims
Stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while
Your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes

Come on
Sing like we used to
And dance like you want to
Come on now and open your eyes

Come on
Sing it like we used to
And we’ll dance like we want to
Come on and open up your eyes