I don't want to lose faith in humanity. I really don't.
I sit and I watch the news and it feels hopeless sometimes. It feels like we can't win. It feels like we fight and we fight and nothing ever comes of it. And I get angry. And I get frustrated. And I get sad. There are things that happen that I don't understand. There are perspectives and attitudes that are so abstract to me that I cannot even fathom how they exist. There are beliefs that are so far from mine that it overwhelms me to even try to comprehend. If it's not one thing, it's another. But this post isn't to complain. It isn't about the world sucking, or how hopeless things are, or even a call to action. It's about people. This morning I was watching the news, getting the updates on confirmations and nominations and my heart just sunk. I truly cannot believe some things happening in the world today, happening in our country. And I got so angry because there are people fighting for what is good and right everyday and nothing seems to be coming of it. Disheartened and angry, I made my way to the local coffee shop to get some work done. Sitting here, I am surrounded by people. There are people reading, others talking business, friends catching up over coffee, and it reminded me - there are good people everywhere. We may not see them. We may not hear about them. They may not get elected. But they exist. It's easy to lose hope in people, until you get to know the hearts of others around you. Your friends, strangers in the coffee shop, your colleagues - they'll surprise you. They're not the people arguing with your progressive posts on Facebook. They're the people who exist outside of politics, outside of business. They're the people living their lives, looking for joy, loving and serving others. As I am very politically outspoken, I am by no means sitting here condemning activism or opinions. But as person that can easily get wrapped up in the world of politics and what feels like the constant disappointment that comes from disagreements and endless fighting, I was reminded how important it is to see people for who they really are. I mean, to really see people. To see their hearts - their joys and sadness. Their passions and their heartbreaks. There is something so beautiful about people in a coffee shop, doing their own thing, at peace alone or with others. There is a whole world outside of the internet. There is a whole world outside of Washington DC. There are people who are looking for love and happiness, there are friends waiting to be made, and conversations waiting to be had. There are mountains waiting to be climbed, and coffee waiting to be consumed in copious amounts. There are laughs waiting to happen, and books waiting to be read. So let's not stop fighting for what is right. Let's not stop calling our senators and marching and sharing articles and engaging in dialogue. But let's also not forget about our neighbors who need a hug, or our moms who want a phone call, or our own souls that need to be nourished. It is important we do not lose sight of the world, and the many many good people in it. Your soul needs to rest. It's okay to not be angry all the time. It's okay to be happy, even when there are injustices in the world. It feels like we're losing now, but when we lose our faith and our hope and our joy - that is when they have really won. "...Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good." Romans 12:9
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Friends,
I just wrote an entire heart-felt post about self-love and acceptance through your New Years resolutions, and it's gone. And while I do believe those are important things to talk about, I want to take this fresh start as a chance to be a little more vulnerable. This morning I was sitting in the sunroom, looking out at the frost-covered grass, drinking exquisite french-pressed coffee, watching the birds flutter around with my journal in front of me and... nothing. No inspiration, nada. In fact, this is not new. My journal entries all seem to be the same lately, with little bursts of creative thinking and deep ponderings. But why? I asked myself. Why are words and poems not flooding into my head as they used to? Why have I nothing to share with the world, let alone myself? And then it came to me - because I am scared. Once you put something out into the universe, it's real. My mind has been troubled by a personal dilemma for weeks, and I kept it in because I knew once I said it I could no longer pretend it wasn't important and it was going to go away. I was scared of that - because I wanted it to not be important and for it to go away. But that's not how life works. I haven't been able to write lately because I haven't wanted to be vulnerable. I have been scared of being vulnerable, of admitting my shortcomings and even more so, sharing them with the world. But where has that gotten me? To a place so dull and uninspired I don't even recognize myself anymore. So this is me, sharing this, and publicly vowing to not be afraid of sharing my truths or my feelings, and urging you to do the same. I have been uninspired in my creative life, and in my professional life - because I do not want to put myself out there. Because I am scared of not being good enough. Because I am scared of failing. But where has that gotten me? Absolutely no where. Still in the same place I was months ago. And that, my friends, is no way to live. Be it in your personal, creative, social, or professional life, I urge you to join me on this journey of vulnerability, of putting yourself out there, and being open to what comes. I promise - the result will be a more beautiful, rich, fulfilled life. Don't deny yourselves that, friends. You owe it to yourselves to enter this year giving it all you got, showing the world who you are, and just going for it. It's January. It's the perfect time to start. Let's make this the year we no longer hide our truths, we no longer dim our own lights, we no longer shrink ourselves. We have things to offer the world; let's go out there and show them! "The world is full of people who will try to shrink you. Don't be one of them." "Would things be easier if there was a right way? Honey, there is no right way. " To quote Hozier, "there's an art to life's distractions." Make time for what makes your soul happy. Make time for what refreshes you. Make time for things, Make time for activities. Make time for people. Find people who make you laugh. The ones who bring you joy. The ones who make you happy to be alive. Find the people that you miss. Find the ones you want to waste your afternoons with. Find the ones you want to listen to music with. Or the ones you want to watch movies and eat snacks with. Find the people that make you feel less alone, and find the things that bring your heart joy. And make time for them. It is worth it. It will always be worth it. When life gets overwhelming, who do you want to call? Call them. When you've had a long day, who is it you want to be with? Go to them. When you're at work daydreaming, what is it you're thinking about? Do it. We all have things in our lives worth working for. We have goals and dreams. We have careers and ambitions. But we also know there's something else out there - something that brings our soul peace. And our careers aren't bad. Heck, we probably like them at least somedays. But it's not the same. When you think of your perfect Saturday, what are you doing? We have families and friends. We have partners and loved ones. We have those we love having conversations with, those we love lying next to, those we love having adventures with. Sometimes, they're all the same person. When you think of your perfect Saturday, who are you with? We need to fill our lives with perfect Saturdays. We need them on the weekends, we need them on Tuesdays, we need them on Mondays, we need them often. Even if it's just in moments. Even if it's taking 30 minutes to read a chapter of your new book. Or an hour to enjoy a ncie run outside. Or a phone call. Or a movie. Or a nap. Let's find our Saturdays, and intentionally make time for them. We all need a few more hours in bookstores, or drinking coffee with friends, or getting some fresh air. We all need more hand holding, and belly laughs. We need to fill our lives with perfect Saturdays. And we need to share them. Our souls are at peace when our loved ones souls are at peace. So let's promise to make time for them whenever we can. Let's promise to do the things that renew you. Let's promise to spend time with those who bring us life. And let's promise to be that person to others. Let's be Saturdays to others, not Wednesdays, and certainly not Mondays. Life is already full of Mondays without us being them too. Because it's tough out there. We could all use a few more Saturdays. I moved to Atlanta about a month ago to begin my journey in graduate school. Except my grandmother, who is graciously letting me live with her, I didn't know a soul. Fast forward a few weeks, I've made some friends. Well, a couple friends, but hey that's better than none! They're in graduate school with me, and honestly I am beyond thankful to have found them. That's for a couple of reasons - for one, it's nice to have people to explore with. And for two, to be honest, they make my crazy seem, well, a little less crazy.
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AuthorHello! I'm Becca -humanitarian, caffeine addict, lover of books, people, and all things Jesus. You can find me in my pajamas, day dreaming about rainy days and saving the world. Archives
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