Don't Settle....For Anything Less Than Everything

As I sit here after coming home from a night of baking with a good friend of mine, a night of listening to the Sugarland CD, inspiration for my thoughts tonight, a night of laughing, and connecting, and spending time with family. Realizing how much I am appreciated, realizing that the new relationships I have cultivated have given me new purpose in life. Talking about my love for my job, the passion for my students, the feeling that my life is no longer just ordinary, that I am making an impact. That the book I am writing will one day be published, it is a dream, sure, but it is one I intend on following through with, because I won't settle for anything less than everything. I deserve to be treated with respect and humor and generosity of spirit. I deserve to live more than an ordinary, comfortable life....being ordinary, being comfortable, that is settling....you cannot grow, you cannot learn, you cannot reach your potential if everything is always the same...if you try to be the same as your friend, same clothes, hair, material things, ideas, thoughts...try to always agree with your boyfriend, husband or wife. How is that living more than just an ordinary, comfortable life? It's not. And it is time to step out of the box.

I had some major growing pains I had to work though these past few years, I always felt like I just existed, and always wondered if life had something more to offer, more meaning, more purpose, more happiness. I didn’t want to be ordinary, I didn’t want to be forgotten, but the circumstances of my life, made me feel that I would be forgotten, that all I would ever be is ordinary, forgettable, not worth it. As I was healing, I learned that I needed to live life to the full, never settle for less than I deserve. I didn’t want to settle for just an ordinary life. I had to re prioritize, fill my life with people and opportunities that would allow me to live my best life, find my purpose and happiness. I took a look at who has been there all along, the messages that have been gently whispering. Being taken advantage of, accepting less than I deserve, living with low self esteem….it had to stop, I had to live life to the fullest…..find my passion, be okay with being different, and saying what is on my mind, have fun, enjoy, having meaningful relationships. I have found new passions, and have new goals, new wonderful friendships, and surprising new relationships, and I will not settle for just ordinary…ordinary friends, ordinary experiences, just blend in...that is not what I want. I have high standards for my life and the people in it, I don’t want to be the same as my friends, I don’t want to agree with what my friends or boyfriend are saying just because it is more comfortable, just so that I am accepted...I have learned that I have to break out of my comfort zone, to grow, to learn, to reach my potential. I have been a people pleaser for too long, I have to do what is best for me, live my best life, I speak my mind now, I say what I am feeling, I am honest-- no matter how hard it is to express, I go back to the people I may have hurt because par t of living my best life is learning and growing and building relationships because I only have one life to make relationships impact me in some way. I follow my own path, I make my own plans, and even if I fail, that is ok too, I have big goals and big dreams and I don’t let anyone get in my way…it’s the gift I can give myself. I have a lot to give in this life. I am proud of the progress I have made, and will continue to make. I am honored to have been put in the position of influencing and mentoring middle schoolers...not many have the patience and passion for that age group, I do, it is where I am meant to be. I deserve extraordinary friendships and relationships and leaving my impact in this life, by doing something different, something that sets this whole word on their ears, even those closest to me, and those that have pulled way. Never settling...ahh, it has such an impact....it means not blaming myself and not accepting lies, not letting people who don't see me for the kind, compassionate, good spirited person I am effect my day to day life....it is not worth it. Not settling for saying one thing and doing another...only allowing follow through, allowing the motto "keep moving forward". Living outside of your comfort zone, repairing past damage so that you have a clean slate from which to build your new extraordinary life. Do what is best for you, never settle, believe that you are meant to achieve great things....not because there is some divine plan, not because God has mapped out your entire life for you and he expects great things, no....live a great life and never settle because you know that you don't deserve anything less. Find meaning, for yourself, find what drives you, what you are passionate about; build relationships that will help you experience the joys of life. Take a risk, see where it takes you. Settle an old fight an old miscommunication. Write a book! Write a song! Start a journal, start a book club, volunteer at hospitals, visit sick children. Be curious. Start a new relationship. Take the risk of standing up for yourself. Travel. Meet new people, learn from them. Do the unexpected, speak your mind, be different, be emotional, be vulnerable, apologize to someone you never thought you would apologize to, there is only one life for you to live, so get busy living it...and while you are, remember, never settle for anything less than everything.