Life changes so much that it never ceases to amaze me. As I write this, I am 27 years old. I’ve learned so much over the past two years that I never even thought were possible. To think of myself at 18 years old and how much I thought I knew. It makes me believe by the time I’m 40 I’ll be a partial genius, then by 60 I’ll be off the charts. If I make it to 80 I’ll be legendary! I only joke, but it’s crazy how much knowledge, no…wisdom I’ve gained in my “late 20’s.”

I no longer need the approval of others. When I ask for advice, it’s genuinely for advice. It’s not fishing for approval or compliments because of my own insecurities. I don’t feel like I have to be friends with everyone or stretch myself so thin for other people that I feel exhausted. I no longer care about peoples decisions and how they affect the ripple around them because people are going to do what they are going to do, regardless of how you feel about it.

But you know what I do care about? My husband. My child(ren). My inner circle of friends. And making sure that the friends in that inner circle lift me up, make me feel good after I’ve been with them, and the feelings are mutual. The friends I have now come with ease. They are kind hearted, caring, sensible, smart, savvy, honest, comical, natural,  frugal, dependable…the list could go on.

I realize in my life that I am not in the good place that I am because of how hard I’ve worked or for a reason think I might have deserved. I recognize that my family and I are so blessed because of the stepping stones God placed right in front of us like a clear path. Every piece of furniture we own was given to us, passed down to us, or legitimately bought for us. My kitchen appliances are still from my wedding, my bed is the one my Dad bought me, and my kids bed is a spare bed from my Uncle’s.

The point I’m slowly getting to is this…

You aren’t owed a damn thing.

It’s good to work hard and earn things. It’s amazing to be frugal and smart with your money. But most of us don’t make it to where we are without a few angels along the way. Look around you. Look at what has been done for you, given to you, sent to you, babysat for you, thrown for you, made for you, sacrificed for you. And then take it a step further and think of the Cross, the ultimate sacrifice. God uses anyone, believer or not, to bless your life. I’ve experienced this first hand.

Take inventory of the GOOD in your life and stop harping on the bad. There’s plenty to be pissed about, but choose to take a look at how much good you really DO have.

Love,

B