When You Feel Like You Can't...You MUST Move Forward

Life presents each of us with different struggles, obstacles, trials, tribulations, tragedies, and mountains to move yet each have commonalities. Each thrust you into a new way of life and often, a new normal. One friend this week said, "The new normal stinks." Another friend shared a struggle she is having and said, "Some days I want to cry my eyes out." Both are normal and necessary stages and ways to think.

If we can't accept the path we are traveling, then it will take that much longer once we do...to move forward. Instead of waiting or resisting the obvious, one of the first and most difficult steps we must climb is accepting the new normal and the array of emotions that accompany it.  There are times when I find myself thinking, "How would my life be different if I hadn't spent a decade in the darkness of denial, loss, and discouragement?" BUT then I  realize, it was this journey through the valley that helped design and strengthen me into the woman I am today.

Don't misunderstand me, there are more days when I feel week and less than semi-strong but to look back I realize...I'm stronger. Twenty-one years ago I hid or put on a false mask of happiness. This time through the journey of hearings and breaking news, I'm trying (not always successfully) to remain positive, hopeful, optimistic, and transparent yet in life, there are times when this doesn't help you or help others. Even in bizarre cases like this, it's still possible to Move Forward and keep it real.

"There is no one 
holy like 
the LORD, 
Indeed, 
there is no one besides You, 
Nor is there 
any rock 
like our God."
1 Samuel 2:2

One step at a time, with God leading the way (and sometimes just plain carrying us), we MUST move forward. If we can't do it for ourselves, they we do it for the one suffering, or for our parents, our children, our community, or just because it's the right thing to do. A different friend recently shared her frustrations about a current situation in her life and ended with, "...but if this is where God has me, and this is the problem He's placed before me, then with Him by my side...I'm strong enough to get through." A wonderful reminder to me and anyone going through a tough time at the moment.

On the days when you feel burdened or run down, I encourage you to dress as if you are attending a special event, put on a little bling, and move forward into the day God's placed before you. I can't tell you the number of times I've put on a sparkly shirt, special necklace, or shared a memory that ended up changing my perspective. When you don't feel like you can, this is the most important time to face your fears, doubts, anger, frustrations, and blahs. More often than not, you'll feel better by lunchtime.

What helps you MOVE FORWARD
when all you want to do is give up?