Realize That You Are Not Your Mistakes

"If people refuse to look at you in a new light and they can only see you for what you were, only see you for the mistakes you've made, if they don't realize that you are not your mistakes, then they have to go." -Steve Maraboli

I love this. I love this because it is so true. It is a goal of mine to keep people in my life who are only going to continue to lift me up and continue to support me. I want people in my life who are here to truly be a friend. I want people in my life who have forgotten the old me and accept me as I am now. I need people who don't care that I was once a Negative Nancy, who don't care that I was lazy, who don't care that I was selfish. I need people to love me as I am. And ya know what? I have a lot of those. I am incredibly blessed to have been given friends and family who have adapted to the new me and who love this new version. As I continue to change and grow, these people who love me will only continue to adapt and grow with me. This is one of the biggest blessings in my life. Not many are as lucky as I to have been given true friends and a ridiculously loving family.

As soon as you, yourself, realize that you are not your mistakes, you're going to be happier. Don't dwell on what you did or did not do in the past. That was then. Whatever it was needed to happen because it has contributed to the here and now. Whether or not you're happy with the here and now is irrelevant. No matter the circumstances, you're exactly where you're supposed to be. This is the Plan whether or not you had planned it yourself. Nothing is truly a mistake. Everything happens for a reason and the sooner you realize that everything is as it should be, the sooner you're going to feel relief. Worry is useless. We all do it, we all fret over too many things, but that doesn't have to consume you. I used to let it take over my thoughts because I was scared of life. I was worried about stupid, little things that were completely trivial. I've learned what's actually worth the thought and what I just have to let go. I am not my mistakes. I am not my past. My past has led me here and I'm exactly where I am supposed to be, but it doesn't define me. I still have the power to let Him lead me where I'm meant to end up.

So, here's my suggestion to you: Do some housecleaning in your life. Get rid of the negative aspects that you have control over. Take a long, hard look at your friends, the ones with whom you spend most of your time, and weed out the ones you feel only bring you down. They're not worth keeping. I promise. If you feel that you can't let them go, talk to them about it. Ask them if they are willing to adapt, and if not, drop them. I know, it sounds harsh, but its honestly one of the best things you can do for yourself. And sometimes you do have to think of yourself. You can't go your entire life thinking only of others, the same way you can't live your entire life thinking only of yourself. You must find a balance. It can be tough, but with the right friends, its a lot easier.

Get rid of the negative things in your life. Get rid of it. If you can't, learn how to deal with it. There are still negative aspects in my life, but I've learned how to deal with them. I've learned how to overcome them and live my life the way that I want to. I've learned how to change when I need to, adapt when it's necessary, and just live. When you can finally learn this, you can breath a lot more easily. And having the right people to walk by your side is just going to make it that much easier.