We live on a path. And sometimes we choose to step off of this path.
Out of curiosity, maybe rebellion, or because the grass seems greener over there. Without any marked trail to follow we misstep, stumble, and fall. That’s okay, as long as we get back up, and realize that we should probably follow our bread crumb trail back to the path.
But sometimes we fall in holes. Or pits.
Those falls are hard, and fast. And the pits are deep, dark, and cold. All our strength is gone from trudging through the wilderness so we’re tired and weak. And we want to just lay there for a while on the nice cold ground. A break from searching. A break from walking. Then, once we start to feel the pain of our broken bones, and the hardness of the ground, we wonder how we got there in the first place. It seems like we just took a brief scenic route, so how did it lead here?
It never takes too long to lose yourself. And you don’t realize you’ve wandered…until you’re lost. Until you’re lying, broken, on the cold concrete floor of that deep pit, do you realize the steps you took to get there.
And so you start to climb out, ironically, healing on the way. And it takes a while. But it’s worth it. Because once your face is warmed again by the sun, and your weary feet touch the soft green grass, you’ll look back and be grateful. Grateful for what you learned and grateful for the grace you were given to climb out.
You Are More than that misstep.
No one said getting out of the hole was going to be easy, but there are people who can help you begin the climb. Call Hope for help, 435.652.8343
Post provided by Love and Learn blog.
06
Nov
2012
Wise Decisions, Part II- The Fall
05
Sep
2012
Wise Decisions Part I- Time to reflect
We make choices, without realizing in that moment how much they affect the rest of our lives.
And if we thought a little longer about the outcome, weighed the pros and cons, considered the pain,
imagined our future, where would we be? Would we have made the same choice? And if those choices hadn’t been made,
would fate take over and make that choice for us anyway ? The choices we make reflect the person we are, and the person we’re becoming. The choices we make affect so much more than we can see. It’s a butterfly effect of chain reactions for all eternity.
We look back at the big decisions, the small decisions, the bad ones and the good ones. And we may laugh. Or cry. Depending on how much time has passed. And we can’t help but wonder, what if?
Sometimes there’s no possible way of predicting the outcome and we have to dive in head first to find out. Sometimes the outcome is clear. Sometimes the outcome is obviously bad, but we choose it anyway. Sometimes the outcome is obviously good, so we take advantage of it. Sometimes, we ignore the outcome completely, and make blind decisions based on what we want now. Those are the worst kind. Though they may bring temporary happiness, it always ends. Sometimes, when it does end, we still can’t admit to ourselves that it was a bad decision, therefore preventing us from learning. Therefore causing us to make the same decision again. And again. Until we just don’t care anymore. These choices we make may push people out of our lives that we never wanted out, they may change our plans, they may break our hearts, they may cause some unwanted drama, but what if that’s the point of it all? What if our potential is in the way we rise from the mess we’ve made? What if beauty hides in the unwanted change of direction?
If you want to talk, we are here for you. Call Hope at 435 652-8343. Read more...
Sometimes there’s no possible way of predicting the outcome and we have to dive in head first to find out. Sometimes the outcome is clear. Sometimes the outcome is obviously bad, but we choose it anyway. Sometimes the outcome is obviously good, so we take advantage of it. Sometimes, we ignore the outcome completely, and make blind decisions based on what we want now. Those are the worst kind. Though they may bring temporary happiness, it always ends. Sometimes, when it does end, we still can’t admit to ourselves that it was a bad decision, therefore preventing us from learning. Therefore causing us to make the same decision again. And again. Until we just don’t care anymore. These choices we make may push people out of our lives that we never wanted out, they may change our plans, they may break our hearts, they may cause some unwanted drama, but what if that’s the point of it all? What if our potential is in the way we rise from the mess we’ve made? What if beauty hides in the unwanted change of direction?
If you want to talk, we are here for you. Call Hope at 435 652-8343. Read more...
13
Sep
2011
Are You Sexually Active- Part III
Reality check…you can’t completely control, no matter how hard you try, to protect your heart from bonding with the person you’ve chosen to be intimate with. Oxytocin and vasopressin are two chemicals that are released in your body upon intimacy. They are good and serve a wonderful purpose. Oxytocin is the chemical released when a mother nurses her newborn baby- bonds her to that baby for life. Vasopressin is released in dads when they wrestle with their kids- it’s called the “protector” hormone. It makes them want to protect the person he is with. Amazing how our bodies are designed to bond! How great that we are chemically attached to our spouses and children.
However, can you see the danger in setting yourself up to bond with multiple people throughout your life? Intimacy triggers these hormones- doctors have studied the brain and the same part of the brain that is stimulated by drug use is stimulated when these hormones release. No wonder you get “addicted” to the people you are intimate with…that’s the design! So, can you see the problem? When a woman decides to be involved intimately “just for fun” or a guy says “it’s no big deal”- WRONG! Things happen in your body that you can’t control. In marriage, it’s a beautiful thing, but outside of marriage it can create attachments to the wrong people and mess with your heart. Re-think your dating plan. Imagine being free of emotional baggage and attachments on your wedding day, giving yourself to the man of your dreams and not looking back. You are worth a fantastic marriage with great sex so have the patience to put it off until it’s the right time. You Are More than a good time. If you have questions or need to talk, call Hope at 652-8343.
Scientific reference: “Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love” by Helen Fisher, in The Economist, Feb 2004. Read more...
29
Aug
2011
Are You Sexually Active? Part II
Have you ever really thought about the term “broken heart”? If you’ve ever been involved in a relationship, you’ve probably experienced the feeling. If you’ve ever been involved sexually and can really be honest with yourself, you know the feeling well. I wonder about the idea of “friends with benefits”…is a person really able to detach emotionally from someone they have shared such intimacy with?
A wise man once said, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” This makes such sense…our hearts deserve protection just as much as our physical bodies. Our future will be shaped by the condition of our heart. Imagine living without the heavy emotional baggage (anger, resentment, guilt, depression, distrust, jealousy) of a broken heart. Here’s a challenge…put off sexual activity until you are married. AND we’re talking about all types of sexual activity (anal sex, oral sex, mutual masturbation, etc.) You know it’s true…all of these things are intimate and all of them stir up your emotions. So, how about being radical for the sake of your heart- protect yourself by refusing the negative consequences of sex outside of a committed, married relationship.
If you’ve already gone there, don’t believe the lie that its too late for you. Start over and allow your heart to believe that You Are More than a one night stand or a half-hearted commitment. We are here to talk to you and help you with that decision. Call Hope at 652-8343. It’s your life…you get to decide how to live it. Read more...
22
Aug
2011
Are You Sexually Active?
If the answer is yes, you may want to reconsider that choice.
In the next three blogs we will provide you with some information to help you make an informed decision about your sexuality. Remember, this is your life. You get to call the shots. Is it worth the risk?
There are over 25 known STDs…we’re just giving you a glimpse at some of the most common. Remember: we are not just talking about sexual intercourse that spreads disease, but all sexual activity (anal and oral sex included).
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in the U.S. The rate of chlamydia infections among reported Utah teenagers aged 15-19 years has more than doubled from 2000 to 2008. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 75% of females infected with chlamydia do not present signs or symptoms. Men infected with chlamydia are around 50% symptomatic. Untreated infections can progress to serious reproductive complications and other health problems including infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and epididymitis in males. Chlamydia can also infect infants during the birth process which can lead to health complications.
Source: The Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology, Communicable Disease Analysis and Reporting Program
Genital herpes infects one out of five Americans over age 12. Genital herpes can cause recurring painful sores around the genital region, mouth or throat. It can cause complications in pregnancy for years to come. There is currently no cure.
Human papilloma virus will occur in at least half of all sexually active men and women at some point in their lives. Various strains of HPV can cause genital warts and are linked to cancer of the cervix, mouth, throat, penis and anus.
Source: Center for Disease Control, Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention, May 2009
It’s not too late to make a U-turn. Today, you can decide to wait for sex until your married. It’s the only 100% effective way to protect your body…and your heart (see next post for more). Call Hope at 652-8343 to talk to someone about abstinence. Read more...
