It has certainly been a long time since I have posted on this site.

The reasons are numerous.

I fell off the weight loss wagon.

I didn’t just fall off, I failed to get back up and on it to keep moving.

My mother passed away quite unexpectedly. I am now an orphan – a 51-year-old orphan – no parents, no siblings, no spouse, no significant other… though I am blessed with a wonderfully amazing son who is nearly an adult and wonderfully amazing friends.

I was in a fairly bad car accident.

My marriage ended and I got divorced.

I continue to struggle with anxiety and depression, feelings of unworthiness, financial burdens.

These are not excuses, but they are parts of my journey. They are my potholes on the road I’m traveling.

I try to stay positive. Optimistic. Strong. Brave.

It’s expected. No one wants to hear your sad story, your sob story. We are each dealing with our own stuff.

“I’m motivated by your bravery.”

Someone shared that sentiment with me on Friday. Someone who I care a great deal about. Someone who I care too much about. Someone who has a lot of decisions to make. Not easy decisions, but necessary ones. Ones that will affect me, regardless of his choice. They will make me or break me. Maybe both.

Yesterday morning before I started to read my daily Bible verses and journal, the following came to me. I scribbled it down in my Notes app as it did.

ElimINate those things that do not bring or create joy for you in the life you want to live, and be INtentional about pursuing what does.

How? By removing the “IN” from ‘eliminate,’  thereby becoming ‘intentional.’ 

Life is short. If you haven’t figured that out yet, you will.

How long are we going to hide behind the curtains of ‘I’m not ready,” “I’m not good enough,” “what if it doesn’t turn out well?”, ‘what about/what if?’ We can continue on indefinitely with the rehearsals, afraid of making a mistake, or we can move on to the main performance. Every single one of us deep down is scared to death of making a bad choice, so we keep rehearsing, continuing to do what we have always done, and avoiding show time.

Be brave. 

Being brave, though, involves risk. Risk is scary. Not all of us have what it takes inside of us to be brave.

But here’s the thing.

Those who cannot be brave are depending on those of us who can be.

Unless we embrace our gift of bravery and do what has to be done, nothing can change for those who are depending on us.

Trust God. Trust His voice. Trust his message. Follow where He leads. Light is always brighter, bigger, fuller than darkness.

Focus on Light. 

Fear has nowhere to hide in the Light.

Eliminate the fear of ‘what if.’

Do not fear being brave, for fear is not from God.

So fear not. Be brave.

Intentionally.