I am constantly amazed at how fortunate I am with the people who have profoundly impacted my life. I cherish you my dear ones; even if you don't realize it.
Today while chatting with a new friend at a social site I enjoy being at, she expressed frustration of feeling like an outsider. We discussed that many of us there have known each other for years and that in general each and everyone of the people have had positive impacts in my life. During this exchange I was struck by the strength of my connections and the gratitude I have for them, and I found myself sharing this feeling of gratitude with specific examples of what I was grateful for. My new friend seemed amazed...
I am AMAZED.
Thank you loves, thank you for caring, thank you for pushing me forward and leading me onward.
It wasn't always like this, a few years ago, I came across a sermon that has had reverberations in my life and helped me to this place. The following is a slightly edited version of it:
"The more that you seek things honorable, the more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW of your life and who should be moved to the balcony.
Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention to; which ones lift and which ones lean? Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill? When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse? Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know and appreciate you and the gift that lies within your?
Life is like a theater-so invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.
It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships, friendships, and fellowships! You cannot change the people around you…but you can change the people you are around! Use wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the front row of your life.
While you don't determine who walks into your life....YOU decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."
I am surrounded by amazing people, thank you for being in the front row in my life.
I love you
