By Happenstance..

So I've been thinking about encounters.. Not the ones we plan where we pick a day and go out and meet up to do something. The ones where we are out and meet someone by chance. When you accidentally run into them going around a corner, pick the same ice cream, or meet online. The ones where no one set you up, you just.. Meet. Don't shoot me down if you disagree, but I believe that people are strategically placed in our lives. God knows what and who we need and when we need it. I know that there's been soo many people in my own life that have been there just when I needed them. Each person I've known, whether good or bad, has taught me a lesson. A lesson that I probably wouldn't have learned any other way. Maybe I've made a difference for them too. So those random people we meet on the streets, may not be all that random. They may be just what you need..

It's a hard-knock life

For most of us, it isn't easy to try new things.. Some people thrive on it! Not me. It can be scary to step out of our comfort zone and take a chance. Whether its trying a new sport, meeting new people, going away to college, or moving all the way across the country, new is hard. Recently I've had a lot of experiences with NEW. It's a new feeling to know that I won't see my best friend for six months. Or that I won't be living at home anymore. It's definitely an all-new experience to realize that all too soon I will be 90% financially independent. And I have to admit, it's scary. But does it have to be hard? I once had a teacher that taught me an important lesson. I can do hard things. She showed me that I can live up to my potential and become the person that God created me to be. Maybe it's hard for me to reach out to people and be their friend.. But maybe someone needs my smile today. The way I see it, life is meant to be hard but we can still make the most of it. Don't let your fears and insecurities get in the way of you living the life that you want. You want that job? Go get it! Don't know how to make that cute thing on Pinterest? Have no fear, you can learn! I don't want to live my life remembering all the dreams that were never fought for or wondering how much happier I could be if I had just stepped out of my shell and taken a chance. And you know that you don't want to either. So together, let's take a chance. Let's make a life that can improve that of those around us. Let's be the light in the world that so many people look for. Let's conquer our fears and capture our dreams. Why? Because WE CAN DO HARD THINGS.