Today while browsing Facebook I ran across a post from an old friend/colleague and it made me think about how my life has changed over the last couple of years. As I saw pictures and posts of friends and family back in Colorado braving 20 inches of snow, I prepare to work in my garden today from my home in Austin. Its 75 degrees out.  I’ve put in a couple hours of work for my select clients whom I love working with, and I’m able to write this post.

So as I read his post on FB, it made me think of how much my life has changed over the last few years. How I worked hard to overcome my health setbacks. How I struggled with self identity as I was made to leave my last job which I helped build from the ground up. I lost many things I was proud of, and that I felt my identity was based around, and it took me a while to realize why it all happened. Why I was forced to slow down and take things easier, by a body that just couldn’t handle much of anything anymore. After almost 2 years, I’m at a much healthier place (physically and mentally) and I now know what it means not to sweat the small stuff. 

And what I love the most about the post I read today is who posted it. He’s handsome, charismatic, funny, smart and successful. Always surrounded by beautiful girls, and with plenty of money to justify an ego, he chooses instead to be humble, to fight for the right causes, to race for the cure, and to take a moment to post something that makes us think.

And so, as I read it today, I honor that I’m able to appreciate what I have, and know that I can handle what may come my way. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

Have a seat. Relax . . . 
And read this slowly.

I Believe… 
That just because two people argue, 
It doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. 
And just because they don’t argue, 
It doesn’t mean they do love each other.

I Believe…
That we don’t have to change friends if 
We understand that friends change.

I Believe….
That no matter how good a friend is, 
they’re going to hurt you, 
every once in a while 
and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe…..
That true friendship continues to grow, 
even over the longest distance. 
Same goes for true love.

I Believe… 
That you can do something in an instant 
that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe….
That it’s taking me a long time 
to become the person I want to be, and I am still evolving. 

I Believe…
That you should always leave loved ones with Loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe…. 
That you can keep going long after you think you can’t.

I Believe….
That we are responsible for what 
we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe…
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe….
That heroes are the people
who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, 
regardless of the consequences.

I Believe….
That my best friend and I 
can do anything or nothing
and have the best time.

I Believe….
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe…
That sometimes when I’m angry 
I have the right to be angry, but that
doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe…
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had 
and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I Believe…..
That it isn’t always enough, 
to be forgiven by others. 
Sometimes, you have to learn
to forgive yourself.

I Believe…
That no matter how bad 
your heart is broken, 
the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I Believe….
That our background and circumstances 
may have influenced who we are, but, 
we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe…
That you shouldn’t be 
so eager to find out a secret. 
It could change your life forever.

I Believe….
Two people can look at the exact same 
thing and see something totally different.

I Believe…
That your life can be changed 
in a matter of hours 
by people who don’t even know you.

I Believe…
That even when you think 
you have no more to give, 
When a friend cries out to you,
you will find the strength to help.

I Believe…
That credentials on the wall 
do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe…
That the people you care about 
most in life 
are taken from you too soon.

‘The happiest of people don’t necessarily have 
the best of everything; 
They just make the most of everything they have.’