Hi, folks! I am FINALLY feeling human again after battling some sort of mutant ninja cold from hades. Bleh! It swept through my entire household with a vengeance. Thankfully, it wasn’t the flu (yes, we were tested), or anything that required major medical intervention, but it certainly caused mondo interruptions to my schedule! I’m still hacking up my lungs, and dragging pathetically along. There isn’t time to be sick when there are so many things to get done. Speaking of time, and things to get done, holy guacamole, batman: the holidays are coming! How in the world did that happen?
When I was a kid, all of the adults that I knew would say that time speeds up as you age. I am starting to think that they had a point. This has been one of the fastest years ever! There were some dark moments, and trying situations, but they are mostly distant memories now. Time kept moving, life kept going, and here we are in the last months of the year. How did I grow, succeed, or fail this year? What are the lessons that I want to take into the new year?
I think that I will spend time reflecting, as I do every year, and perhaps I will share a few posts on “what I learned in 2013.” For now, I think that the biggest lesson that I can share is one that radically changed my life, and one that I continue to learn. Fear & faith are both fuel, but only one of them can get you where you want to go in peace. Who said or wrote that uber brilliant statement? Well, I did. Yep. & I know it to be true because I live it.
What do I mean? You can desire something, but fear how to get there. It may require change. You can fear the change, and fret over it for months or years. The change, or desired success, may still happen, but you’ll be a wreck by the time it does. What’s the point of lost sleep, and fretful thoughts? Do we ever have uncertainty or need a helping hand? Yes, definitely. Does it make sense to hold ourselves back while we contemplate all of the what-if’s? No way! I think that we all need to learn how to get out of our own way, and start pursuing what we want. I believe in hope and hard work, not hype, so I am not suggesting something that is impossible. If we want success, we have to work for it. While we are working for it, why not enjoy it?
Life has many twisting, turning paths, and they feed into other paths, with even more twists, turns, obstacles, and surprises attached to them. We cannot predict our futures, but we can plan and work for better. I think that so many moms related to my thoughts on breaking out of our comfort zones because we all know what it is like to get trapped under the weights of others’ expectations, and our own fears. When we push back against fear, we allow ourselves the freedom to learn and grow into better situations. Life isn’t easy, and is rarely ever fair, but it shouldn’t be ruled by fear. We will make mistakes, get bruised, disappointed, and the like, but all of those items are pieces of the journey. I promise you that when we keep our faith, and kick out fear, that things will work out.
I look forward to sharing stories from my life with you, and I hope that you will find your faith to fight against your fears.
Until next time,
xoxoxo
Just Jeanae 
I LOVE this: “Fear & faith are both fuel, but only one of them can get you where you want to go in peace.” I am puting that on my quote board!
This year has gone by crazy fast! Glad you are feeling better!
What a great thought. It’s always better to have a “peaceful” journey whenever possible!
First of all, I am glad you are feeling better this week. Second of all fear will only hold you back form living a full life.
My kids really give me new perceptions of time. They grow way too fast.
Fear of the unknown, uncertain future is definitely scary but knowing WHO holds your future makes each step so much easier. I’m just thankful that God has it all under control. 🙂
This is so important to share. Thank you.
I’m so glad you’re feeling better!
Amen to that. The only thing fear does is hold you back. Release the fear, and go forward into your life. Do things that challenge you. without fear, you can accomplish lots!
This spoke to me a lot because I totally live in my comfort zone out of fear. I’m not sure I wanna bust out of it though!
Well said Jeanae. The only person who limits us stares back at us in the mirror every morning. And you’re right, this year has blown by.
Glad to hear you are feeling better! Your post is 100% true. Too often, we let fear hold us back from the success we could find in our lives. I am saving this page to re-read later when I don’t want to get out of my comfort zone in order to take on a new, exciting challenge.
I’m so glad you’re better and no truer words were said about fear holding you back from your destiny.
Ugh, I had something awful last week too, wound up in the hospital. No fun! Glad you are feeling better!
I’m glad you are feeling better! have a good holiday season!!
glad to hear you are better!
I’m glad you’re on the upswing! Fear is something I battle with all the time. I’ve really been praying about it and try to step out of my comfort zone more often.
Wise words indeed. I fear a little too much, and don’t rely on Faith a little too often. It’s something I’m trying to change, but it’s slow going and I more often than not find myself in that ‘fear corner’ instead of in the ‘faith corner’.
It’s hard to push through fear but on the other side? Excitement! New possibilities. Open doors.
Wonderful post! By the way, it’s great to hear that you’re feeling better!