Because This Is A Time For Thanks...

So I'm going to tell you EXACTLY what it is that I am thankful for...

First and foremost, I am thankful for the many, MANY blessings that God has bestowed upon me and for the many blessings that God will continue to bestow upon me. But this is not what this entry is about.

This entry is about the fact that on numerous times God has picked me up when I was completely down and for that, I am grateful.

Many times this year, there were moments that felt like my mind was in its darkest hour. When nothing in my life made me happy and everything felt like a burden. Where dreams no longer existed and nightmares were ever present. When being alone made more sense to me than being surrounded by people. Where suddenly I had no clue as to who I was or what I was meant to be. When running away from my demons felt more like a solution than staying and confronting them. Where I tortured myself mentally on numerous occasions over the paths that I chose not to take. When being depressed was easier than being happy. Where my own mind had become my personal hell...

Through out ALL of that, God protected me.

I'm not going to say that I was an easy person to protect because I know that I wasn't. I didn't have the kind of faith in myself that God had in me and that left me open for the devil. I was weak and the devil preys upon that...

I had to strengthen my relationship with God and that allowed me to build strength within myself. I also had to accept that every battle within my life is not my battle to fight; that I needed to have faith in God to handle them. I also learned that any battle that I do fight, I'm not fighting them alone. In all actuality, I had a lot of learning to do and a lot soul searching to do. And it's not over yet...

Basically, I am thankful that no matter how broken I seemed to be, God never allowed me to break...

When Opportunity Knocks...

Swing open the damn door and embrace it!!!

That's all there really is to say on that matter, honestly.

I feel like multiple times opportunity has knocked on something of mine; a door, a window, my head and I've either looked the other way or ignored the sound all together. Reflecting on where missed opportunities has gotten me in life, has made realize that I allowed my fear of the unknown to override my desire to see myself succeed.

People don't miss opportunities on accident, it's something that they do on purpose; something like a choice if you will. You can CHOOSE to answer when opportunity knocks OR you can CHOOSE to ignore it. Either way, the decision is yours and yours alone. No one can make the decision for you; they can advise on the matter but they can't decide on the matter, because that is something that you have to decide on for yourself.

The moment that you realize that you have missed an opportunity and want to get it back, you must then go out and make an opportunity happen. Put yourself in the position to create an opportunity for yourself. Find doors and then kick them open. Take the bull by the horns and ride it to the ground until their isn't any buck in it left. Take charge of your situation(s) and make it work for you.

Every opportunity presented in life is meant to bring you that much closer to your goal. To your dream. To happiness. It's up to you to embrace these opportunities. When you embrace the opportunities that life presents, it will minimize the negative reflective moments that you will have about your past.

Life = Opportunities. Opportunities = Dreams. Dreams = Happiness. Happiness = Life.

It's just that simple....