What a difference a year can make. Last year this time I found myself sulking in another Birthday. Escaping from the social media world curled up in my bed; completely exhausted from the prior years of struggling to survive. Somehow in 2013 I found my footing and started walking forward. I finally didn’t feel as if I was drowning anymore. So many of you threw me a life vest and pulled me to safety and I cannot thank you enough for that.
I have learned so much in my 46 years of life through faith and love, but most of what I have learned has been through my experiences of pain and suffering. And I have to say, I would not take one once of it back. Not one bit. It has brought me to a beautiful place of empathy for “the pain that others walk in”. I hope in some way I have provided a little bit of understanding, compassion and a place of love for everyone in my life. If I have not touched your life in this way, I pray that someday soon I will.
It is only the 8th day of January, but I have already experienced so much JOY in my life. The news of great friends going to bring new life into the world this year, so many surprises (and I do mean blow me away surprises), and the overwhelming birthday wishes and blessings for the New Year. I feel new life springing up inside of me and feel very hopeful for the year to come.
My birthday wish for everyone; those I know, those I don’t and those I will meet this year is to find LOVE in everyone you meet and all that you do, as I am convinced within that LOVE you will find God. If in your life you feel you have lost hope, know that you are not alone. God is always with you. If you feel as if you are being judged, know that is not on you. Judgment belongs to those who judge. If you feel that you no longer have the strength to move forward, rest and pray. Soon your strength will emerge and courage will fill you up with the strength to start taking steps. Look for inspiration in the most uncommon places and most of LOVE, LOVE and LOVE some more.
Thank you all for making this Birthday so beautiful.
Luv, luv,
Julie
