If I knew then what I knew now.

"If I knew now what I knew then." So many people say it all the time well if I only could go back in time and tell myself not to do things or to take this road instead. However, there are things I am not proud of doing and journeys I wish I did not really make to say that I would not want to do them again, I would be different. Dare to still dream and to chase those dreams. Dare to love. Dare to learn and dare I say, Dare to fail. 

With mistakes we learn we grow, we realize. Sometimes we fail and we hurt and we cry. Others pick us up, disappoint us, support us, and use us. During all of this we continue we fight for what is right, we get back up when we fail or fall for the 50^th time and we remember that it is not over until God says it is.

I think I wrote on this many posts ago but one of my favorite lines in a song by Jason Gray is “I don’t believe you brought me this far to give up.” This line though so hard in the moment to want to push through and tackle is such a great reminder that we are not who we once were but we are growing and learning and becoming someone different. Who do you hang around? Who influences you? Are they good or bad influences? Do they support or encourage? Are you the smartest one in the group or the one who is always asking questions? This is not saying one group or another leads to success or victories in life. It is saying know how and who you are influencing and being influenced by. Be in situations where you don’t have all the answers and you are forced to learn. Be in situations that push you out of your bubble to try something different, relinquish control, or take ownership. Understand that people are human and mistakes are inevitable but show grace when it is not your first thought. Positively impact someone’s day doing something they want with your time not your own prerogative. Listen when you want to speak and learn when you want to teach.

These moments create growth, create relationships, and create memories. Be OK with not being perfect but showing someone love and compassion. Learn to be in the moment (one of my hardest battles) and enjoy the little things, the smells of fresh bread, the love of the people around you and the joys that despite battles going on in your family, in your life, or all around you there is something, always something to be thankful for. Turn a positive light on something you have deemed negative for a long time and daily committing yourself to see something thankful your attitude will change and you will impact others who are watching your life unfold. Be the wildflower who dares to bloom when everything else is fading away. Be the rose who doesn’t wither. Be the storm who is loud and crazy and yet creates the most beautiful skies and no damage or wake.