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...
12
Apr
2012
I’m pregnant and afraid
The clients that visit Hope are sometimes overwhelmed with fear. They are afraid of sharing the news with loved ones. They are afraid of what people might think. They are afraid of what the future holds. They are afraid of disappointing others. They are afraid that there is no one around to help. They are afraid of what pregnancy might be like. The list goes on and on and I am sure you can fill in the blank very easily with your own sources of fear.
Fear is a normal response to an unplanned pregnancy. When we experience a difficult situation and are limited in who we can go to for help, we often bottle up all of our emotions. We are walking around like a shaken up soda bottle that needs to release the pressure inside but just can’t. This is why Hope exists. You do not have to go through these hard things alone. We are here to gently remove the cap on that shaken up soda bottle so you can release the pressure and begin to sort through your feelings and fears in a safe, confidential atmosphere.
A wise man once said, “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” You may be in a place where that idea seems almost ridiculous, but with our experience, it is true. There may not be immediate relief from fear or sadness, but with time and perseverence, you can experience hope and joy.
We would love to walk that road with you and share the reasons for our hope. You are More than your fears. Call us for an appointment at (435) 652-8343. Read more...
Fear is a normal response to an unplanned pregnancy. When we experience a difficult situation and are limited in who we can go to for help, we often bottle up all of our emotions. We are walking around like a shaken up soda bottle that needs to release the pressure inside but just can’t. This is why Hope exists. You do not have to go through these hard things alone. We are here to gently remove the cap on that shaken up soda bottle so you can release the pressure and begin to sort through your feelings and fears in a safe, confidential atmosphere.
A wise man once said, “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” You may be in a place where that idea seems almost ridiculous, but with our experience, it is true. There may not be immediate relief from fear or sadness, but with time and perseverence, you can experience hope and joy.
We would love to walk that road with you and share the reasons for our hope. You are More than your fears. Call us for an appointment 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.
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