wow. this weekend was so needed and the sad thing is, i didn't even realize how desperate i was for it! I've been running myself ragged with school, friends, clubs, commitments, work, etc. and i definitely have not been spending enough time being refreshed by God or even just stepping back and taking a breath. This weekend was just the breath i needed. I got to spend some amazing quality time with my mom. Its these times that I treasure so dearly; they are truly special and unforgettable. She is one of my very best friends and I love spending time with her! I got to see two of my best friends from high school if only for a few minutes. Seeing their shining faces and hearing from them was so encouraging. They are such blessings in my life and they constantly build me up. I could not thank God enough for them. I also got to spend time with my grandfather for his 80th birthday, which was really interesting. We aren't very close but he's my grandfather so I love him and love seeing him. He recently found out he has cancer, which is something that I don't quite think i've managed to process yet. It makes times like eating dinner at cracker barrel special and close to my heart. He said something that truly amazed me, he told me that he met my grandmother on Sunday April 11, 1953. Now how in the world he remembers the exact day i have no clue, but he's as sharp as a tack so I trust him. It was so cute! Any way, back to my refreshing weekend. I did nothing productive. I took care of myself; I got my nails done, I went shopping, I slept in, and I watched a lot of Criminal Minds. Most importantly though, I talked life with my mom and it helped it all make sense. God gave me the perfect refreshing, encouraging weekend to finish out this semester. I feel like I've caught a second wind. I found this quote and fell in love so I hope it encourages you too.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
— Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles)
