I Can Do Hard Things

Recently, a dear friend of mine lost her young daughter. It broke my heart to see her go through the grief and pain that accompanied this loss, but I was also touched by the strength and faith she demonstrated throughout it all. A few weeks after the funeral, she created a post on her blog entitled: I Can Do Hard Things. It was a beautiful expression of her strength to carry on and to tackle the hard and scary things that are a part of our lives.

For the past couple of months, since reading that tender post, that phrase has stuck with me and come to mind on many occasions: I can do hard things. I was so touched by my friend's strength and courage that I have adopted the phrase as my new motto for life. So, these past 2 months or so, I have done several things that I once feared. They aren't life changing things--in fact, you might think that they are silly, but they have helped me to realize that we have more strength inside of us than we even know.

I finally chopped my hair really short. (It was almost at my shoulders when I started.) I have always had short haircuts, but this time I wasn't going to let my hesitations keep me from trying the cut that I have wanted to try for a long time. I have been so happy with it!

After years of hearing about the Walker family hikes to Tablerock, I decided it was time for me to give it a try. I am not a hiker and I am not in the best of shape, but I made it! It was invigorating to reach the top and to look down over the valley.

Two weeks ago, Bryan and I sang a duet in Sacrament Meeting. I was SO nervous! The last time I sang a song in church was 10 years ago when Bryan was going on his mission. But again, it was a fear that I knew I had to overcome.

I have found a place where I get to dance like a wild woman and shake my booty! Mel and I joined a Zumba class and it has been quite an adventure!

Lastly, I have finally conquered my fear of the Skycoaster at Lagoon! I have been wanting to go on this ride for years, but I have always been too chicken. Can you blame me? You are strapped to 2 other people and hoisted up 150 feet in the air by some cables, only to be released in a face-first swing across the park. Bryan and I went to Lagoon just over a week ago and this time, after fighting with myself for most of the afternoon, I rushed to the counter and paid for my ticket so that I could not get out of going. It was so incredible! I loved swinging over the park and I was amazed to find out that it wasn't as scary as I had anticipated! What a rush!

So, the moral of the story--we really can do hard things! We don't need to let fears and doubts hinder us any longer because we have been blessed with inner strength and courage that only needs to be discovered. Thanks to my sweet friend for her example of this strength! It has blessed my life immensely.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7