Agency - The Good and The Bad

We often experience things that make us reflect and redirect our lives to better way. Losing a dear neighbor and friend, and seeing others experience frustrating losses this past weekend has caused me to stop and think about a concept quite often talked about, but not always internalized. Today's post is all about agency.

After I heard of my neighbor's passing I deeply reflected on the impact of my own life on others. How would what I've done throughout my life be seen if I were to pass away? What will others say about me when I am gone? What would be the shining characteristics of my being? Would they say I was dedicated to my family, that I fought a good fight, that I gave of my time to others, and that I loved others more than myself?

I know it is sometimes morbid for some to think about their death and what it would mean to those left behind, but I have never feared death. It is a reality of living, and as long as we know where we will go, and as long as we have lived a life worthy of remembrance, there is nothing to fear. Living with faith in the plan set for our lives gives us the strength to know that death is not the end and that God has always had our journey and the steps we take to complete it, in his mind. He directed our path and set forth our journey long before we came to be.

With that path provided for us, we were also given agency, or in other words, the opportunity to choose for ourselves how we will live. If we all made a conscious effort with the thought of how we will use our agency and the consequences our choices will bring, good and bad, we might be a little more careful with our life decisions. Sometimes our decisions are hard to make and frustrating and downright unfair, but sometimes our decisions will determine how we handle the hard ones in the future.

I am deeply grateful for the understanding I have of agency and how it affects us daily. Only YOU can choose how you react to life's trials, only YOU can choose to find the goodness or dwell on the struggles, only YOU can determine how your personal agency will affect your life.

How will you use the freedom of agency for good today?

-L

Light and Dark

These past few weeks I have had a lot on my mind. I have been pondering what the purpose of my trials are and how I can learn and grow through them. I have wondered what I could teach and how I could share everything I was feeling! I have had quite a few "ah-ha" moments, if you will, and feel gratitude for the ways I have been able to notice the Lord's hand in my life, as well as His guidance as I branch out into blogging again.

Before I share my thoughts, I will preface by saying that each of us has a journey to navigate. Our lives are anything but comfortable, but I know through that uncomfortable moments we can learn far more than we ever imagined, had we not been given that chance through our individual trials. Isn't life amazing? Isn't the chance to learn and grow such a gift? At the time it may not seem so, but I promise as we endure and do so with faith, looking for the good, we will see it as a gift.

A few days ago I watched the movie Wonder Woman. This isn't a movie review but if I can give my two cents, it was AMAZING! A must see. Anyway, in this movie I couldn't help but realize the message I gained from the script. Here is what I learned: there is so much darkness in our world, but there is so much light and ultimately love will triumph over any and all evil, as long as we let it direct our lives. Incredible no?! I bawled like a baby towards the end of the movie as I was hit with this realization. You guys, our lives, if kept in the light, will always be greater than we could have hoped, and the darkness we encounter will be dispelled as we constantly search for that light. Seriously though, I bawled, like ugly cried and then felt so grateful for that bit of inspiration.

Fast forward to today, I posted a quote by Brene Brown (Find it HERE) in my Instagram stories and was floored when I realized the magnitude of it. We cannot find light until we first wade through darkness. Until we are brave enough to use that light we will never understand the magnitude of the gift of being able to find light during dark times. I believe we are sent here to Earth with a magnificent purpose and calling, each of us. Over time the light we are sent with fades unless we fuel it with goodness, uplifting studies, and often religious attendance. That light will never leave us as long as we work to help it shine. That light can be our saving grace during times of struggle, heartache and trial. That light can lift another's burdens and bring us joy as we lend it to others. That light can inspire and create a world of goodness.

So now I pose the question to you. What do you do to find light in your life? How do create a habit of searching for the good amidst the bad and using your light for the good of others?

-L