Accept the Unknown with Grace

Life is a pretty gifted puzzle, and the unknown can almost drive you crazy. When it comes to our health, work-life and our personal relationships, feeling unsteady in one of these categories can really knock you off your rocker. Especially when we can’t figure it out, we become almost obsessive in trying to find answers. But why? If things didn’t go our way, it happened for a reason. God has given you a challenge and wants to see if you handle it with grace or disgrace.

There can be one of two outcomes: One, you come out stronger and realize why things happened the way they did and how beneficial that circumstance was to your life. Or two, you refuse to accept what is and dwindle downward into a negative spiral, questioning yourself and your abilities.

I have had situations in my life happen, that at the time, I didn’t understand, nor did I know what I did to deserve them. But now, I can look back and see that it made me a stronger, wiser person. I can’t express enough how much I have learned by just having faith. Talking to God and past relatives of mine (that I now view as Angels), have really helped me to cope and find peace with some of the difficult times in my life. Like having a baby at age 24 (and may I add here that I was on birth control), when I was always that person to say, ‘Kids just aren’t for me.’ The turmoil of going through a divorce and horrible custody battles that I never should have had to go through to begin with, but I did, and it taught me that people can change. I learned to expect the unexpected, and just how fulfilling a child can make your life. (I wouldn’t change being a mother for the world.)   

Sometimes things happen that are out of your control. However, staying strong and keeping faith are key to surviving the hard times. Knowing what’s right in your heart, trusting and believing in yourself, are all key elements we sometimes lose track of when we are unhappy in life.

When things don’t go your way, you have to sit back and TRUST. Don’t start doubting yourself or your worth, because that is just where your mind wants to take you. We immediately think it’s something we lack, or something we did or could have done differently. Your mind can play tricks on you and make you believe negative thoughts that ARE NOT even reality. Why is it easier to believe something negative versus positive about yourself? Because, somewhere along the line, there is a lack of self-confidence.

I always say the best relationship you can have is one with yourself. Know yourself, love yourself, and know your passions. What lights you on fire? Understanding more about yourself and what you want out of life will help to eliminate the self-doubts when things don’t go your way. You will begin to see life as a personal challenge. “What can I do next?” And when a bump in the road comes along you handle it by having faith in yourself and trusting that this is meant to be for a reason. Surrounding yourself with people who love you unconditionally, and by this, I mean your family and your handful of good friends. Because, lets be honest, there should only be a handful of really close friends who you could trust with your life.  

I know this wasn’t the typical fashion post, but I do love to help others through their problems and have had this talk with a couple of my friends this past week, so I thought I would share it. Hope it helps you in some fashion. 

Until next time, always be kind.

Erica xx

SHOP THIS LOOK:

All items available at Village Collection boutique in downtown Huntington, call 304.525.2204, they ship anywhere!

Drew Clothing top @VCBoutique  /  Elizabeth and James pants here   /   Rebecca Minkoff crossbody here   /    Jenny Bird hoops here   /   Matt Bernson “Nomad” shoe here  

 

All photos by Courtney Christian, Courthead Does Photography