Every Thing Anytime Blogging, what was I thinking? When it was suggested that I start a blog, my first thoughts were: what do I have to offer anyone, and who would actually like reading my blog? Then I realized we all have something to glean from each other. One word, one smile, that one golden gem that might change a life forever. Is it possible that someone like me can leave such a positive impression on a person? Is it possible, through this little hobby business, that I can empower others? Possible, yes, anything is possible. I believe that full-heartedly. I was raised to believe that all things are possible. My heart's desire is to be the one that makes a difference. But how can just one person make a difference? Every time I start something, it seems like failure is right around the corner, waiting to strike, with long delays in getting to a place of purpose. Will my dreams ever come true? When will I ever realize my purpose or make a difference in others' lives? When I was younger, I sometimes felt that I had to do this or that before those things could occur. But I was wrong.
So, what is it today that caused me to pause from work and write you? The simple fact is, I know many who are reading this might be going through the same or similar situations, or they may have already gone through something and be able to offer helpful gems in the comments that, in turn, may help other readers. Why should I share that in multiple facets of my life, pun intended, when things start progressing with good momentum, everything comes to a shrieking halt or even seems to move backward? It's true with everyone. Not one person is safe from setbacks; even the best of the best have them in one way or another. Something happens where we must stop, wait, and "smell the roses," per se, even if we want to or not. Whether financial, medical, emotional, spiritual, or physical, we find ourselves back almost where we started. In some cases, all the way back to the beginning or even worse.
The good thing is we have choices. We can choose how we handle the situations and our demeanor; we can choose to stop or continue toward our goals. For me, it seems like every setback has strengthened an area of my life. Of course, it didn't seem like it then, but what is the old adage? Hindsight is 20/20. So, what purpose does taking two steps forward and one step back have? I'm sure many philosophical answers can be had in general, but what is it for me? What is the purpose for you? That is a question only time and our own desire to continue will answer. The key is to continue. That is one of the most important choices we can make. Do I continue after the setbacks?
I have learned that the backward journey offers newfound strengths, important lessons, and meaningful encounters that make the effort worthwhile. We can look at it as if we are not going backward but that we're moving in a different direction on a path. I know, an endless loop of the game. Who's on first? The path from A to B is no longer straight, but now it has a little dip or two, and maybe even a C or a D got injected between A and B, but as long as we never lose sight of our goals... B, we're still moving forward. I always hear this in my head: Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start again. Keep going, keep swimming, or "Just do it." Our culture is full of motivational phrases that we can use to kick ourselves back into gear and start moving toward our goals. They say never lose sight of your dreams. This is so true. Without vision, we are lost, just wandering in the desert with no way out. I am not fond of the saying get back on the right path, because our path is what we make of it. Our path is where we are at the moment. We can either camp out on it and not thrive, stay distracted and make our way more wavey than it ought to be, or keep our eye on our goals and do what it takes to get to the end, no matter how long it takes. Really, the end never gets here until death, so we should never be finished maturing, transforming, learning, or empowering. Yes, that is correct, empowering.
The motto When life gives you rocks, make them shine, has many connotations. I coined the phrase during a medical setback I was going through in 2019, and then around March 2020, COVID-19 hit the planet, and life really came to a shrieking halt. Talking about two steps forward and one step back, that one was a huge blip in our paths. No matter where on earth you were at the time, COVID-19 affected everyone. I think we can all agree on that one. Everyone lost someone. I always feel like I must take a moment to remember all those who were taken from us during that time. {{{{{PAUSE}}}}}
So is the two steps forward and one step back a lesson that is yet to be learned, a test of our strength, faith, endurance, or just the facts of life? Whatever belief you hold, one thing is for certain: the outcome is based on our attitude of how we go through the journey and who we empower along the way. One truth I found about myself is when I am hurt, in need, sad, or whatever adverse emotion, I always try to reach out to help someone else in need. This takes my mind off of situations I can't change, and it makes the earth just a little bit better because that one human was helped. Hopefully, that person will pay it forward.
We must remember this: whether we are just starting out or have been at the two-step-forward, one-step-back dance for a while, we must appreciate the journey no matter our path. If we keep a focused mindset, we will always look forward to our goals, dreams, and desires. Our path may get a little wavy, with little circles, squares, stair patterns, or squiggly lines; don't give up. Time is really on our side. That's all we have and our faith. It will happen eventually, maybe not how we planned, but it will happen, and how we define the journey to it is key to happiness. Happiness is a choice, and Faith is a gift derived from hope. Don't lose hope, and faith will keep us going. Find out what keeps you going and focus on that. Find a gemstone and make it shine, whether that gemstone is another person in need or just a gemstone in general. Stay focused on something you can change versus things you can't. Maybe the two-step forward, one-step back dance can be fun!!!!
I sincerely hope that you have found something valuable in today's reading. It came straight from my heart, and even though I'm not entirely sure why I felt compelled to write it, I hope it has been helpful to you. Please feel free to share your thoughts with me by leaving a comment or emailing me. If you want to leave a comment, you may need to become a member, so click on the join button and let your thoughts be known! Your feedback is extremely important to me and will help me decide whether or not to continue down this path. That pun is very much intended. 😉 So, I would love to hear from you and learn about the topics that interest you the most. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Nicole B - I Heart Gemstones.
