limits

I believe that you should never set limits for yourself or sell yourself short on what you are truly capable of. Like I have always said, you are stronger and more beautiful than you will ever know. Each one of us has something so genuine and significant to offer the world and I hope we can all get a glimpse of our own true potential someday. Break down that wall of limitations and fear and go for what you want! What is the worst thing that can happen? .. I recently read a BYU devotional that talked about failing. Each day we are probably going to fail in someway….but that does NOT make us failures. Failing and continuing to push forward is what growth looks like.
I recently went through a situation where I worked so hard on a particular trick for dance and when it came time to present this trick, I failed. I was so confused and frustrated because I had worked so long and hard at something that was very important to me, and in the end, I couldn't do it. That didn't make sense to me, and it took me a long time to figure out. I didn't want to continue to work hard at this particular task and I completely lost the motivation. It was too hard to get, and at this point, I found it pointless. I gave up and set a limit for myself, and I was frustrated and sad. I still don't know if I have the lesson from this situation all figured out, but I do know that if I would've thrown this particular trick that day, I would've gotten hurt. God helped me set a limit because I wasn't ready, and the outcome could've been much worse if I just decided to go for this difficult task. I had worked long and hard… but I needed more time… and I needed to be okay with the fact that I just simply couldn't do it. This can be such a hard thing to accept, and I don't want this to come off in the wrong way. I don't want anyone to give up, I guess just in particular situations, I want you to be able to accept your limits. This is not to say you shouldn't work hard and give things everything you've got, but when it comes down to your safety or your overall mental health, there is a time and a place to stop. We are not all super human, even though we would all love that. I hope that this doesn't contradict what I said in the beginning. I truly believe that with the help of The Lord we can get past any limitation or block we face… it may just take longer than we want. Be okay with failing though and know that you are not a failure because of it. We all have different gifts, capabilities, and time frames. Just close your eyes for a second, take a deep breath, and keep pushing forward. Things don't always make sense.. but God is there every step of the way & through every situation He is making your stronger.

Unexplainable

Sometimes I will go through moments that are unexplainable. Moments where I am so low and caught in such despair that I truly don't know how to move forward. I am not exactly sure what triggers these moments…it seems to be a combination of things…but once they happen, they seem to stay for what seems like forever. I don't know where to turn or what to do. Talking to someone about it doesn't seem like an option because it is something that I can't even explain to myself… These sorts of things don't happen to me. I am a happy person who has so much love for life and people. I try to rack my brain about why I feel this way and how I can fix it, but it seems to get me nowhere. I just sink deeper and deeper and I want to give up everything. I suddenly don't feel good enough for anything or anyone. My life seems like a mess that is unfixable. Sometimes I question if I have a level of clinical depression, or if these moments are normal? They don't come around very often, but when they do, they hit hard…
I hate them.
I hate feeling like I have lost control.
I try to put on a good face and fake a smile, but inside I am dying. "Things like this don't happen to me.. they cant.. I don't have any reason to be sad or fearful. My life is great and I am very blessed". All the more reason for me to get more upset with myself. It is like I can't turn my brain off…and I don't want anyone to know that I have a problem. Im happy Sadie Rae and I help others with their problems… I can't have them too. So I try to hide what is really going on inside.
Do these moments ever happen to you? If so, you aren't alone.
… I definitely have not mastered these moments. I still have them and can't explain them.. but some how I get through them and get better at them each time. Maybe my how can help you a little.

First of all, don't be embarrassed. There are people that are just like you going through similar situations each day. Like I said, you are not alone, and there is help and hope.

Second, seek help..even if it is just in one person. For me, I try to tackle these moments all by myself, but I have come to find that I can't. The one person I turn to is my boyfriend, Richie, and he knows me so well that he can tell by the sound of voice if I am going through one of these unexplainable moments. He will ask me questions and get me to talk about it--even if I just write down how I feel. After writing it down we will talk through it and see what angles we can use to tackle it. He makes me feel valid about the way I feel and constantly reminds me of my beauty and value. He honestly is the main reason I get through anything.

Third...No matter what… you just have to keep moving. These moments of fear and despair can hold you stagnant and paralyze you (something we have talked about before). You find that through all of the pain and the tears, if you just keep moving, the light somehow finds its way and starts to shine again. It may take a long time, but it does, and it will! Never stop moving!

I have always been taught that FAITH HOPE AND CHARITY are the three stepping stones that encompass my religion and my life. You cannot have one without the other. Each day I pray for strength and help with my insecurities and fears. When I have these unexplainable moments of despair, Satan makes me feel like my prayers are not being heard and that the help is not coming… but once I get through another moment, I can look back and realize that God is there with me every step of the way. He is aware of the work I am trying to put it everyday to be a good person and follow Him. He is aware of me and loves me… and He loves you. Pray for strength and do the things each day that are obedient and show your dedication to making the world better. Put others first, serve, and have CHARITY.. & God will continue to bless you with strength. Never give up on HOPE and FAITH, because "faith and fears cannot exist in the same place". You must never give up on The Lord or on yourself. His abilities are unimaginable and through all of your trials and tribulations, He is preparing you and making you stronger than you know.

So if you have moments like these… don't give up and lose faith. I know sometimes I want to, but Richie won't let me and my Heavenly Father wont let me… and in the end, I won't let myself either. Deep down your strength and capabilities are unmeasurable. Seek the help that you need and don't be afraid to talk about what you are going through. You can beat anything thrown at you!

xoxo

disney advice.

"have courage & be kind" 
If you haven't had the chance to see the Disney remake of Cinderella, you need to! I saw it tonight and it was magical. It had a beautiful message that left you wanting to be a better person. 
Even when life is hard.. have courage and be kind. Kindness is free and is such a powerful tool.. especially in today's world. Something that seems like nothing, but that is done with kindness, makes it so much more. 
So for today.. just try to be a little bit more kind:) 

xoxo

a reason to smile.

Today is a new day. 
A day to keep your chin up, smile, and be happy. 
A day to try again and be a little bit better. 
Today is a day to be grateful.

Today I am grateful for second chances. For those that believe in me more than I do myself. For those that love me and don't let me quit… 
When you choose not to give up on yourself & on this day, you become stronger. things don't always change right away or become better right away, but they DO get better. Be gentle & patient with yourself. 

Today I am grateful for daylight savings and that extra hour of light. 

I am grateful for the good people in the world & those that truly give…I want to be more like you. 

I'm grateful to SWIG for keeping me awake with my daily Dirty Diet Cokes;)

I'm grateful for the relationships I have in my life.

I'm grateful for all of the beautiful places to see & explore in the world. 

Today I am just grateful and my heart is full. Take some time today to make a list of what you are grateful for. It can help your heart be happy. 


xoxo

a world of comparisons

Some of you have maybe heard the quote "comparison is the thief of joy". In this world of social media all we see are the "perfect" lives of other people and the pictures that are being posted. We don't know each individuals story or what they really go through. We don't see their insecurities and struggles…we just see the small surface of something that appears to be effortless and beautiful. I think that because of social media, comparing is at an all time high and relationships lack true substance. Sometimes we only know a person by their Instagram and Facebook posts and we are missing the whole picture. We are becoming so envious of other peoples lives that we are forgetting to look at how amazing our own is…we are forgetting to live our lives. If we really only knew the true strength and beauty that we each hold..and how we are all so much more similar than we think. Constantly comparing yourself to others can bring so much unhappiness and discontentment.. it can bring fear into your life and keep you from making decisions and taking leaps of faith. Don't let comparing steal the joy your life has to offer. Create meaningful and real relationships, discover the depth of true beauty, and know that you are incredible. 

xoxo

Just remember that you are stronger and more beautiful than you can even fathom… and that if you keep pushing and fighting just one more day, tomorrow will be better.