fresh starts

i think that fresh starts are a gift. i'm not sure that we always see them like this, but as a firm believer in karma/fate/what have you, i'm convinced that 100% of the fresh starts we're given are gifts, even if they don't seem like them at the time. 

at the most basic level, you're given a fresh start every day when you wake up. every day is a new chance to turn your life around, work on something you've been meaning to do, or read a new book--anything really. you don't have to be the same person that you were the day before, or even the day before that. not if you don't want to be. 

on a bigger level--think of milestones--each first day of school/classes, each new place that you've lived, the times you've graduated, the time you got married/had a baby--anything you'd consider a big life event? it's a fresh start. 

fresh starts don't have to be with people who don't know you. yes, they're an opportunity to reinvent who you are, but that doesn't mean you have to leave everyone you know behind in the process. Or maybe it does. it really depends on your situation. my point is that I think 90% of the time, when we hear the words "fresh start" we think of starting over in some place new where nobody knows us one single bit. and yes, those are fresh starts. but those days where you decide to step out of your comfort zone at home? the days where you do something that's a little bit not you, no matter where you are or what the outcome? those are fresh starts too. 

all you have to do is decide to wipe your slate clean and start again. the people who care about you will always be there for you, no matter what. i know this for a fact. they will be there for you, and they'll support you along the way--and if you're lucky, they might even help you in your process. 

i hope you're never scared of a fresh start. they can seem daunting at first, i know that all too well, but i've found that they're for the better. you're never being given more than you can handle. fresh starts are a gift. you are in charge of your fate in those moments. you can be whoever you want to be. you can do whatever you want to do. all you have to do is take a deep breath, make a plan, and go for it. 

you'll be glad you did. 

so here's to fresh starts--what's one that's particularly impacted you?

-em xx

values

honestly, i never thought that values were that important. i just thought that they were something we all had, only brought out when we had to do one of those stupid activities in health when you talk about what you look for in a significant other.

um, no. try again emily.

values are important. they impact our every day lives, even if we don't always realize it. do i think that having to enumerate them and doing those activities are. i'm always going to think that. but i also think that deep in our hearts, we know what values we hold. we know what values we value in other people. and we don't need some overly excited health teacher making us share them with the class.

people will get to know you and your values as they better their acquaintance with you. you don't need to tell them 'yo these are my values' because, frankly, that's a little silly. if there comes a point when you need to because something is making you uncomfortable, then by all means, go ahead. goodness knows i've learned that this past year.

basically, what i'm trying to say is stick to your values. you know what they are, and if someone judges you for them? you need to get rid of them. ain't nobody got time for that.

sticking to your values and what you believe in is hard. i know that better than anyone.

i'm not going to lie to you, you're going to be tempted to stray, and you're going to get made fun of and lose friends, and you're going to have nights when you cry because what you believe in will separate you from everyone else.

but you know what?

it's all worth it.

because if you stick to what you believe, you'll weed out the people who aren't worth your time and that you don't want in your life. you'll find people who share your values, people you want to be with, people you love. and you'll love yourself more for not straying from what you believe in.

i know this for a fact, and it will show and people will marvel at what an amazing person you are because you had the strength to resist when others didn't.

always stay true to yourself. it's the oldest and corniest advice, but it's the truest.

-em xx