:: State of Mind ::

:: Sunday, November 23, 2003 ::

There are some things that are worth fighting for tooth and nail. And it is those things that are worth it that demand the strongest, most difficult fight. The struggle is hard, the battles are long, the pain hurts and the bruises and scars last a while. But in the end, after the struggle eases, the battles are over, the pain goes away and the bruises and scars fade, the reward is great. Its then that you truly see what you have and that, yes, in fact it is worth it...In fact, its even more worth it than you realized before you started the battle. The funny thing is, battles will come and go all of your life. Its up to you to determine what is worth fighting for and what is better left ignored.
You know, maybe I haven't loved enough, sacrificed enough, or really thought long and hard enough. But tonight I realized something that I have known before but haven't necessarily thought about in a very long time. I am so incredibly blessed, and so often, I take that for granted. It is only in times of fire, when I feel I am in danger of losing those things that I have been so blessed with that I realize their value and worth, even though I have known it, it hasn't been fully realized. I feel ashamed to even admit it. It was tonight that, for once in a very long time, I felt like I was inches away from losing something that is so very important to me. It was tonight that I realized, I'm not as good of a person as I thought I was, that I'm not as selfless of a person as I thought I was. I realized that I have so many blessings that, if I were to be without them, I'm not sure what I would do. It really made me stop and think and say a prayer of gratitude from the bottom of my heart.
So tonight, I relearned a very important lesson. Value the things you have in life. Treasure the people you know and care about and don't take for granted the people who care about you. They just might be all you have one day. Besides that, you aren't promised those blessings. In an instant they could be gone. So, in the words of my father...don't put your joy in things because when you lose the thing, then you've lost your joy! And in the words of my mother...Use things, love people.
So, to all whom I may have taken for granted....I'm sorry and I love you all.
to all who have cared for me, prayed for me and loved me when I was unlovable...Thank you and I love you!
To all those who have blessed me with your wisdom, time, influence, financial support, encouragement and prayers...Thank you and I love you!
And most of all to my Heavenly Father....You have blessed me far beyond what I deserve. Thank you for giving me life and for every breath you allow me to take in order to live a life that is pleasing to you!
:: BAlbretsen 11:52:00 PM [+] ::
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