Lessons of 2014

As the year comes to a very different end than I expected at its start, I choose to reflect on the positive from the year.  The reality is that every single thing that happens, even the bad stuff, has the potential to teach you a lesson.  Here are a few lessons I learned this year.....

You can't make a leopard change its spots This is something that a lot of people know right off the bat.  I, unfortunately, have an empathetic spot in my body that consumes me.  I like to think the best of people and, unfortunately, it blinds me to this truth.  You absolutely can't make a leopard change its spots.  You should, instead, admire the leopard for what it is but know that its territory might not be a domestic situation.

There are certain things that all kids are going to do because they're kids Of course there are some things kids will try just because they're kids.  They'll try lying or maybe stealing small things.  They'll try copping attitudes.  The reality is that kids are kids and they're going to try things and you just have to roll with the punches and realize that just because they OCCASIONALLY do things that you don't like, they are not bad kids.  They're just kids.

Sometimes, when you let go you find the most wonderful surprises of all.  Sometimes when you're in the midst of a cruddy situation, you start to think that there is no rainbow.  The reality is that sometimes letting go surprises you.  In short, you only see the small picture but God sees the big picture and knows exactly how to work things out to be perfect for you.

There is at least a little bit of God in everything.  Even in the worst of situations, God's there.  He's there when you're mourning.  He is there when you're stressed beyond belief.  The trick is looking for Him instead of focusing on the bad stuff.

I can do it.  As scared as I get sometimes, I can absolutely achieve anything I put my mind to because God has shown me that over the past few years.  I'll hit hurdles but I can always overcome them.

and finally.....

Change is inevitable.  Most particularly with people, change is inevitable.  People change and grow constantly.  If they're focusing their life on being better people, they change their habits for the positive.  If they're focused inward and only concerned about themselves, they change their habits for the positive.  They never truly change who they are at their core but people will either change their habits to improve or to become worse examples. 

Despite a somewhat scattered end to the year, I'm looking forward to 2015 and all that it holds.  Who knows?  This may be the year that changes everything for the positive :)