Change is Inevitable. Growth is Certain

I have always been surrounded by friends. I was called a butterfly growing up because I honestly like everyone. I wanted to float to every group and have everyone be together. I noticed, even as a young girl, I craved inclusivity. I wanted everyone to like one another. It wasn’t until I became an adult, that I figured out why this was so important to me. I feared that without inclusivity, I may be the one who would be left out. The biggest threat to my childhood existence and today, was to not be liked.

Lately, I’ve been working extremely hard on a new chapter in my life. I’m now a working mom and it’s been consuming. Real estate has blown my socks off and I am so thankful to those of you who have been sending me referrals. You have seen my hard work, my honesty, and my drive to take care of my clients and I am so thankful. Happy Mommy Hour has taken off in a direction that I have always wanted. It's a place where people, not just moms, can go. It is where we give back while getting to meet new friends. Where we get to experience life, good food, and have a safe place to be ourselves. (include a positive concluding sentence here re this new chapter in your life)

My family has become my strongest unit; my husband is my best friend. This may have never happened if the current wave of change didn’t come. The biggest issue in our marriage as of late was that I always put my friends first. They were my family, and everything revolved around making them happy. Without my knowledge, my husband began to feel left out. I unintentionally created this wall between my husband and myself. My childhood issues of needing to be loved by friends outweighed the importance of my husband's desire, to be loved first. Sometimes you must go back to figure out why.

Lately, I have decided to really dig deep. I pray hard, asking God to let me see. (may want to explain more here re what happened? Not in detail, but the reader may not know what you are referring to as you continue on For example, "You see, I've found myself excluded from some of my closest friends.") I may never understand the cruelty that has occurred or why someone you love can easily throw you away. I believe people may choose to see you a certain way at times, to make it easier for them to hurt you. However, I no longer need to understand. Instead, I choose to focus on forgiveness, humility, and growth. There comes a moment for all of us when we need to apologize and to take a look at who we are. You take the things you don’t like about yourself and you work on them; through God, therapy, alone time, whatever it is you do. There are also times when you know exactly who you are and appreciate what you like about yourself. You clearly see your strengths and all that you bring to your relationships. Hold these insights tight. Don't let people shatter these beliefs. Lastly, be aware of when it is time to stop fighting for someone to love you. d growth. There comes a moment for all of us when we need to apologize and to take a look at who we are. You take the things you don’t like about yourself and you work on them; through God, therapy, alone time, whatever it is you do. There are also times when you know exactly who you are and appreciate what you like about yourself. You clearly see your strengths and all that you bring to your relationships. Hold these insights tight. Don't let people shatter these beliefs. Lastly, be aware of when it is time to stop fighting for someone to love you.

Life is always going to throw things at you. Know who you are, and what you deserve. I have had so many of the same friends for years. I have had friends since 4th grade, those I met in junior high, college, and the ones I have met Arizona. Some I still talk to daily; some have disappeared. Change is inevitable. Growth is certain. Don’t let anyone make you feel less than, and only change the parts you don’t like. Sometimes, what someone doesn’t like about you, is a projection of what they lack in themselves. So, if you are struggling today, know, you are not alone. The insecurities change may bring are minimal. However, it's the reward that you will truly feel when you look back and see all the lessons learned and battles you have conquered

XOXO,

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