On Living

A few weeks ago I realized that I didn't want to spend my days worrying about what other people thought of me, who was or was not interested in me, or what might happen if I didn't ace every single test I took (or any test) I took.

I realized that I want to live!

I want to happily pursue the dreams that I didn't ever hope to entertain simply because I was afraid of what might happen if I went for them. I realized that I had been letting the what ifs keep me from the what cans (if that makes any sort of sense). I realized that I was letting fear hold me back from my potential.

So I let go.

I decided that I was going to make friends. I decided that I was going to pursue relationships (aka fabulous friendships) with people. I decided I was going to be involved. I devoted more time to music, I devoted more time to my roommates. I started to talk to people I didn't know incredibly well. I found myself smiling more often and laughing more readily. I found more happiness.

That's not to say that things have been all peaches strawberries and cream since I made that decision. I got rid of a lot of the pressure I was putting on myself with regards to other people, but it's hard to just up and change your attitude and habits in a blink. It's a process. However, I know that it's a process that's worth my while because, through it, I have found myself coming closer to my Heavenly Father. I have found myself remembering my infinite worth. I guess I forgot some of that for a while.

I'm far from perfect and I'm far from perfect in this area. Our society constantly encourages comparisons and checklists. Rarely will you find a message on a billboard or television telling you that you are amazing and have infinite worth simply because you are a child of Heavenly Father and have the potential to become like Him. Rarely will you hear that your worth stems only from that aforementioned fact. Rather, we hear that, if you look like this person, if you reach this ideal, if you are the best in such-and-such an area then you are worth something. We hear lies designed to make us forget who we are and all we can do.

The great news is that we don't have to believe them. We can reject that and allow ourselves to remember who we are and whose we are. We can allow ourselves to accept our worth and potential. 

We can allow ourselves to let go, 

pursue, 

and live.

This is Brittney, taken by me :)