Keep your cape on!

For a few of my dear friends who know I write this blog, I have been known to say "I've got a blog post brewing.." And this one has indeed been brewing in the most wonderful, uplifting, satisfying way, Georgia.

It started a few months ago when I heard Mark Fernandes speak at an event that work sponsored. He encourages his audience to recognize the values that motivate them and make sure those values are incorporated into their daily, working lives to ensure they are the best employee and human they can be. If they are not, then you might need to keep looking.

However, it was his message of "put your cape back on" that gripped me. He described what I've seen you do, Georgia. He described the child who puts the towel on, or in your case...the flower blanket...tied around your neck and blanket flowing in the wind. You, in that moment, are a super hero capable of anything. You can conquer mountains. Nothing stands in your way. You are a SUPER human.

However, as life happens and life gets hard....we take off our cape.

Fernandes asked us WHY? And encouraged us to put our cape back on. Yes, even as adults...we should: put.our.cape.back.on.

Fast forward to the weekend I spent with girlfriends at the Belong conference with keynote speaker, Jen Hatmaker (I'm including these names so you can Google when you read this and see where these folks are :)). Georgia! This was a weekend FULL of uplifting messages and inspirational, strong women who have lived REAL life and are standing to tell about it.

And that's what I'm learning. Life is HARD, my sweet peach. And no matter the foundation me and your dad provide for you and your brother you will both experience the rough patches and the challenges.

But my darling, there are a few things you must know as you navigate through this life. Through YOUR life. Things I'm just now learning:

1. Be authentic. Be who YOU want to be. Don't be who you think I think you should be or who you think your Dad wants you to be. Be you. God created you to be you. And just like Him, we will love you in all your glory and failures.

2. If you can't figure out how to be authentic. Let me, or someone else you trust, help you figure out what that looks like for you. It is in the times where you feel unguarded, most free, feeling joy at its finest that you are being YOU. You do not feel self-conscious, boxed-in, unheard, etc. Once you recognize those moments, you should try to replicate them with similar people, surroundings, and circumstances. This is when you will find authenticity.

3. When life gets hard, do not look for escape. Dig in. Dig in WITH your family, your friends, your healthy stress relievers, your internal dialogue. Do.Not.Look.For.Escape. Escape looks like drugs, alcohol, excessive ANYTHING including exercise, etc.. Escape will only prolong your growth. God is putting you through this challenge for you to grow. And as your mom and dad, we will always be there for you. You will think that you are grown many times throughout your life, but as you will learn....you are not grown and there is still growing to be done.

As any mother does, I wish for you to know MORE sooner. Sooner than I did. It makes me feel like one hurdle will be less cumbersome or one setback less painful.

However, please know that I know...you have to learn this all on your time.

I love you dearly,
Mom