Speaking Up

I'll be the first to admit I don't have my entire life figured out.

I'll also say that everyone who said you have to by the end of college, is incredibly wrong.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is let go of all the expectations of where you should be in a particular season of your life and just enjoy it, no matter what. Let go of the limitations society places on you. Don't be confined by other people's dreams for your life.

The most beautiful feelings come from discovering life lessons on your own.

Recently, I've learned to say what I mean and appreciate when others do the same:
The other day I was in a pencil skirt (typical office attire), had taken my shoes off, hair falling into my face as I strained to stand on my tippy-toes to dig through a filing cabinet at work, intensely searching for something when a friend walks into my office and simply says, "You look so pretty right now" before I had a chance to even notice his presence. We both laughed and quietly thought, saying what you are truly thinking should be that easy. I loved how he came in and quickly squashed the potential tension of unspoken words by simply, saying them. Plus, his statement put a smile on my face. The simplicity of the whole situation makes me laugh again just thinking about it.

Society tells us all day to protect ourselves, to keep secrets, to do all these silly things that have us digressing in relationships and afraid to be vulnerable. I disagree.

Yes, you should have a filter and not carry on with Godless chatter for no reason but there is beauty in communication-- expressing yourself, knowing someone understands how you feel, and giving others the freedom to do the same. There is a sweetness in being vulnerable with people who share your values, with people you want to be walking closely with. There is joy in having a community while on this journey of Faith, people to confide in.

I vividly remember something I first heard in 2010: Speak only what love requires.

& I've come to the realization that love involves speaking kind words of encouragement, reciprocating story-telling that will leave you occasionally vulnerable & it's risky...

...but every great thing takes risk.

So, while I'm admitting to not having my life entirely figured out, I also don't feel like I have to. We have this awesome ability to speak and when it is used to build others up, make them smile, tell them they look pretty, to grow in healthy vulnerability, it is worth the risk.

All of a sudden, the little moments that accumulate into a lifetime, seem overwhelmingly happy, even standing at the end of my college career with no solid idea for what comes next. I know there will be many lessons, risks, and ultimately, lots of unknown territory ahead. I look forward to enjoying whatever comes, at whatever time, in whatever fashion because my expectations are fleeting and my contentment is growing and I trust He will be Faithful, no matter what, even if it comes in the form of a small compliment from a sweet co-worker in an ordinary office-- He speaks joy into motion.

He speaks.