It's A New Year - Time for a Change

Well, we did it.     We made it through another year.   2016 was a year of challenges but if you made it through and are reading this now - congratulations!    You survived those challenges and now God has even bigger things on the horizon.

​As I was sitting here contemplating my own goals for 2017, I began to see a new vision unfold for my life and in particular for  this page.

If you have been following my journey, then you know that I was diagnosed with depression back in 2007 and fight that battle daily.     I started this website as a way to reach out to others and promised transparency and honesty in my daily struggles.

​But as I looked back on this website and its history, one point stood out most blaringly - I only posted on this blog 4 times during the entire year of 2016.    So I began to wonder why and when the answer hit me - it was most disheartening.

​I stopped posting on this website in 2016 because it was one of the roughest years of my life.     We were faced with monumental financial burdens and decisions that would affect the outcome of our lives and careers for years to come.    The burden was often overwhelming and I spent many days in utter frustration.     The stress level within our family was at an all time high and I can remember praying every single day for God to lighten the load because it was just too much to bear.   Every time one situation would be resolved, it seemed that two more would pop up and we spent the first half of 2016 in a tailspin.

​When I started this website, I promised to always be transparent and honest when discussing my life yet I found myself hiding within my own four walls.       For the first time in my life, I was afraid.     I was afraid of failure.    I was afraid of what you might think if you knew my life wasn't exactly all puppies and kittens.   

​I saw myself as this "warrior" among Mental Health Advocates and wanted to be the voice of hope to a generation in pain.  But in my darkest moments - in my most trying times - I forgot what was truly important.     Transparency.     Honesty.  That ability to just bring you the raw emotion of what I am feeling and what I am dealing with and know you will not judge me.    Even if you do - knowing I have the strength to speak the truth and still love who I am.

​And so I retreated.     Afraid of what you would think of me if you knew my life was so far from perfect.     I went against every single thing I promised I would do.     And I did it out of fear.     

​But then God's still small voice gently reminded me - "you are perfectly imperfect" and that's exactly what people need to see.

God never said this thing called life was going to be easy.   He only promised to be there for us every step of the way.     We will have mountains to climb.     We will be stuck in low, low valleys.     But there is a hill on the horizon and the top of that mountain will be worth the climb!

​So here I am for 2017 -  Perfectly Imperfect.     Making a renewed promise to you to always be honest even when things aren't exactly going my way.     

​I want 2017 to be a year of transition.     Yes, this website will always discuss mental health awareness but my vision is to make it so much more.      

​I want it to be a place where we can share stories of hope and offer encouragement to one another.      And I will make the commitment to always share - even when it is not so pretty.   

​As you begin your journey into 2017, remember that Social Media is one point of view and is biased by the person posting it.       Please don't place your value in the opinion of others.   God knows your value and to Him - you are Priceless!!