A Change in Perspective: Reflections on 2008

Change - verb - make or become different

Perspective - noun - a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view; true understanding of the relative importance of things; a sense of proportion

It's not quite the new year, but I have been reflecting a lot on this last year and how through it all my perspective on life has changed dramatically and for the better. Things seem a lot more clear now and some of what I've come to realize makes sense, but then again hindsight is always 20/20, right? When this year started the only change I was looking to make was to start my graduate studies towards my masters in counseling...well, I did that, and God had other things in mind as well. My whole life was flipped upside down and one of my greatest fears became a reality on March 29 of this year. My world seemed to be crashing down around me and there was only so much I could do to keep it together (Praise God that He gives strength to the weak!). It was only the beginning and after a few more disappointing changes throughout the summer I realized how strong I truly am...not physically but Spiritually.

By no means do I have this all figured out, I'm not sure I ever will...but then again that was something I needed to learn through this storm. I'm still walking through it, I can't deny that...there are still times when I'd much rather hunker down and hide away in bed for a day. However, that is not truth and that is not going to keep me going. Through all the sadness, all the disappointment, and tremendous change of this year I've learned the truth behind Proverbs 17:17 "a friend loves at all times." I've seen my closest friends (and even some new ones) stick by through the times when I fell apart, through the good times, and most gratefully through the moments of temporary insanity. I've found a love to call my own, and a strength and a passion that I feel I'm starting to scratch the surface on. I'm starting to finally pave my own way, to find the things that make me stop and ask "why" instead of just taking things at face value. I'm learning the true depths of love in so many different aspects.

Is this what I planned for in 2008...of course not. Would I change some of the events that transpired...yes, if it were up to me (but it's not). Would I change how I responded to these changes, how I walked them out...absolutely not.