Tennis in My Mind

           I woke up earlier than normal this morning with worries on my mind. The house was quiet because it was only 5:00 a.m.  I lay on my pillow for a short time passing worries about in my mind like an unfriendly game of tennis. Then I chose to get up. I grabbed my phone where I frequently listen to podcasts and chose, for the third time, to a talk called "Meekly Drenched in Destiny" by Neal A. Maxwell (http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=622) With my morning brain training in hand, I got onto the treadmill. It is amazing how quickly perspective can change when we fill our minds with hope and courage. 
         I walked and ran on the treadmill as the sun came up over the mountains and brought natural light into the room. Discouragement was replaced by perspective and feelings of despair were replaced by hope. I learned some powerful principles that I know I need to teach as a parent, as a wife, and as a professional. One of those principles is that God does not do everything for us because we need to learn to act as independent beings. He gives us opportunity to learn and grow and develop and, most importantly, to choose how we will look at life and who we will become. According to Maxwell, we set the cadence and direction of our own march. 
     The more I take this journey of recovery with Mike, the more I see who the two of us, together, are becoming. We are both seeing the world from a new perspective and we both are developing the skills that will, ultimately help us to become the people we need to be. 
Each day holds it's own beauty.  A few years agoMike and I took a hike with some dear friends, Jake and Jen Monsivais into the Unitas. This picture was taken on an early morning when I woke frustrated by the discomfort of a semi-sleepless night on the ground. Climbing out of my sleeping bag, I was awed and amazed by the beauty that surrounded me. Today is another amazing day for me to discover and share the beauty around me. I will not hesitate to speak words of kindness. I will choose to stand tall and look up for I know that is where my strength truly lies.

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