My strengths are not your weaknesses. As I write this I have that in mind. Sometimes I wish I could've avoided some of these hard things but in that same thought they are what have made me ME and I love these experiences!
I'm going to share 3. One spiritual. One physical. One sort of silly.
Preparing to be a missionary was a life dream starting as a young girl. I prayed for it, planned for it, and lived for it. As the reality of it drew near I knew I didn't have the ideal personality for such a job. Knocking on doors, talking to and approaching strangers all day long, everyday! These thoughts just made my stomach churn. Practicing my missionary situations with classmates, friends, and family was challenging enough. But I moved forward in faith and received my call with much excitement to the New York Utica Mission. It felt so right! Serving a mission was the number one hardest thing I have ever done. It tested my spirit over and over again. As a result, my faith increased tremendously. My mission motto was, I can do hard things!
Now a married woman I prepared to bear my first child. Seeds were being planted in my mind from various sources to find a midwife and have a natural labor. With a supportive husband on my team we moved forward with joyful anticipation. I wouldn't have been ready for such a physically challenging ordeal without my supportive team; my midwife Rebecca, husband Andy, birth instructor Alyssa, and birth class members Mickelle and Michelle, and then my own personal preparation. From time to time fear and doubt crept in but it was prayer and preparation that grounded me. I wrote down some mantras to recite as labor day approached. This included scriptures and personal phrases one which was the motto from my mission, I can do hard things!
I get bored of my hair, like most girls. In high school it often changed colors & lengths. But as I grew older it was all about length and keeping it healthy (that's when the coloring stopped). I grew up with a father who had a strong bias to long hair so that was my safe zone. But once again, seeds were being sowed, and the wheels in my head were turning, considering a big change to short hair. Not just short hair but as my dad would say, "boy hair". Picture after picture, agonizing over the pros and cons, considering my options, & being fed up with the time & effort I put into my hair for an acceptable outcome, I was ready for the plunge, despite the ridicule I would receive from an opinionated yet loving father. My husband stood by me and that's all that mattered. I sat in the salon chair, my heart racing, my eyes shut tight, trying to calmly speak to my experienced hair dresser and friend. "I can do hard things" I repeated in my head.
And I did it! I have proven to myself that I can do hard things. It seems I'm only brave enough to do hard things if I feel it is right in my heart. If I have the support from good people in my life. If I pray and feel, this is good, keep going. It never makes the hard thing easier it just helps me know it will help me grow stronger in who I am. Let's do hard things together. Let's seek out our righteous desires and shoot for the moon! Doing so will make us who we need to be.