An end becoming a beginning

FA goes a little something like this.

Sleeping for 13 hours but not feeling refreshed or rejuvenated whenever you wake up, having to go lay down and rest every 15 minutes while doing your hair and makeup, feeling like you ran a marathon just by walking up or down the stairs, taking 20 minutes to carefully change your earrings.

Having FA is a constant mind game of planning out what is worth using my energy on that day. Mustering up the energy to walk from the house to the car. It wears me out to brush my teeth on some days. Or having to say no to something because you are literally running on empty. 

When people say “I’m tired” they truly do not understand the definition of those words. 

I don’t use my wheelchair because I can’t walk. I use my chair because it allows me to not expend all or my fuel getting somewhere and not being able to enjoy it when I get there. 

For a while I looked at the chair as an end point. I looked at it as I was giving up. I looked at it as a bad thing but it was quite the opposite. The chair is a tool, an energy saver, and a beginning of something new.

Sometimes you have to loose something that is valuable to see and know something bigger and better exists. 

It’s 10 days until Christmas! (I don’t know if anyone else is counting but I sure am!) As the holidays are a special time, they too symbolize an end and a beginning. An end of a year, and a beginning of a life, the birth of our savior. 

I take this time to reflect and really think about my year. I have learned so much. God is working in my life and teaching me so many lessons. Some that I like and some that I am not to fond of. Some of the lessons have caused pain and heartache, but even though the obstacles I have walked through may have not been part of my plan, I have been made so much stronger through it all. 

I can say that I have become so much more confident in the Lord, knowing I live my life for Him and only Him. In that I have become more confident in myself. I truly believe He holds my hand as I walk through the fire and knowing that brings me peace. 

Here is to an end become a beginning...

-M

Opportunity awaits!

FA is tough. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns. There is a lot of ups and downs. I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

With that being said I also would not trade it. Throughout my journey with FA, I have learned so many life lessons, met such strong individuals, and have had amazing experiences and opportunities. 

The Make A Wish foundation supports children with life threatening illnesses. They grant any wish a child may have. Big or small. Bringing imagination and wonder back into a sick child’s life. 

Last September I was honored to have my wish granted, and was sent on an 8 day Mediterranean cruise to Italy and many cities in Greece with my family. Even over a year later I still cannot put into words the breathtaking views, amazing people, and magical moments witnessed on this trip. I still find myself daydreaming about sitting on the beach in Mykonos or riding a water taxi in Venice.

After my trip I became a Make a Wish ambassador. As an ambassador I get to do some pretty incredible things. And I am given opportunities that I couldn’t have even imagined. 

The latest was Make a Wish gave my family and I a chance to visit Enchant Christmas premier in Arlington Texas. Making its debut in the USA, Enchant has the worlds largest Christmas light maze, ice skating, food trucks, and all things Christmas. 

It definitely put me in the holiday spirit and it was a wonderful way to bring in the Christmas season. 

Go to enchantchristmas.com and snag some tickets for you and your family! A portion of your purchase will be donated to Make a Wish and other charities!

-M

ask and you shall receive

Whenever I feel called to write a post on my blog or to share something on social media I always want it to be positive and have a positive message in the end. Sometimes I will already know exactly what I want to say and other times it will take me a week to find the words that I want to say. Often times I will pull inspiration from pinterest and the tie it in personally to what I am feeling or what I think it is that people need to hear at the time.

I came across this and it pretty much stopped me in my tracks and sent a chill up my spine. 

I was guilty of this. And I am sure you are too.

I kept telling myself that things just happen but God's voice was intended to be much louder than mine. The questions that I had been asking, God would answer them. But I would ignore them because I didn't want those signs and red flags to be true. 

His answers were not what I wanted but they were what I needed.

The Lord knows exactly what you need, he knows what your heart needs, and what your soul needs.

God does not shout or yell. His words won't come to you in the thunderstorms or earthquakes. But he speaks softly. When the wind blows gently through the leaves.

Expect the unexpected.

Be still and prepared to receive His word and His message.

God will send only what he knows you need. 

I hope this message finds you all well and is what you need tonight.

                                  

                                                            -M

Succulents

I might have a slight obsession with succulents and if you ask anyone around me that is definitely an understatement.

I was thinking of a way I could pull inspiration about these little plants and write about them in some kind of way.  I googled succulents and I know you are probably thinking "this girl is crazy!" Which I probably am. But hey, everyone has a little crazy in them. 

Anyway what I found was pretty cool...Other than the fact that they are able to survive incredibly harsh environments, have adapted to hold copious amounts of water, and are very hard to kill. Succulents are often attractive because of their striking and unusual appearance. 

No, I promise this is not a research paper, but the more I read about this, I couldn't help but notice all of the similarities that succulents have to myself and others. And yes I am comparing people to plants, but think about it. Why is everyone so attracted to plants, succulents, or flowers? Because it is familiar.  We have the ability to adapt to our environment even if it may be harsh. We are fighters, we are hard to kill, and we all are striking and beautiful.

The thing that attracts me most to succulents is that they are different. You see, being different is okay. I am learning to be okay with the fact that I am going to utilize the aid of a wheelchair, that I am going to be different. And much like a succulent,  I will still be striking and beautiful. I will always adapt to whatever is thrown my way and I will not be killed easily. I will always fight. Because we are all fighters.

I challenge you to try and relate something that you love or like to everyday life and it's okay if it is random like mine!

Try to see the good in everything.

-M