Reflections are More Than What You See

2017 has been filled with many wonderful things and some not so. During this time of year, I like to look back at all the things that have happened to me and try to learn from it. So here is what I have learned.

1.Sometimes blessings are trials in disguise.This has taken me a long time to learn. Whenever we are faced with trials and hardships we always forget that learning is a stretching process. Most people always want to be on the mountain top, but they forget the work of the climb.

2.Closed doors are better than open ones. Though most people look for situations that have all green lights as confirmation, things that don’t work out are actually more help than the ones that do. If you only experience things that don’t challenge you, there is not growth. Also, sometimes our egos get the best of our conscious and sometimes something or someone must step in to keep us on the right path.

3.Your family is your saving grace. I am a true believer that family are people that have your back. Whether they are the ones you are born into, or self made, they are the foundation on which you are able to build the life you want. I have always been pretty close to my family and sometimes take them for granted. It wasn’t until I moved slightly away from them before I realized, how much I depend on them. They are my sounding post, my confidant. The people I call when I need guidance, or just some laughs. They are my best friends. We, as humans, were created to be with each other. Whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or a little of both, remember that you need people.

4.Always be willing to learn. Every opportunity has the ability to learn something new. Sometimes we get so caught up in our knowledge that we forget that we can always learn. In the story The Giver, Jonas becomes the apprentice of The Keeper of Memories. Though his job as the apprentice is to learn from the Giver, what happens is Jonas becomes the teacher and the Giver learns something from him. Being willing is key to the amount of knowledge we have. The greatest failure of people who are intelligent is when they don’t have wisdom to back it up. Always be open to new things, but realize that sometimes the best thing is to do nothing and there lies true knowledge and wisdom.

5.Give thanks for the freedoms you have. Here in America, we sometimes forget the amazing privilege we have… freedom. December 2nd is the UN’s International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. Slavery comes in many forms, from physical-to-emotional. It is our duty as citizens of the world to not only stand up for freedom, but to acknowledge of our own. Wherever or whomever you are, you have been given an immeasurable gift… Life. With that, we are able to change the world. Sometimes as adults we forget that the world is just as amazing and mesmerizing as it was when we were children. As we get older, for reasons good/bad, we begin to pigeonhole ourselves for the sake of “society”. In front of hundreds, Steve Jobs stood and said:

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Sometimes in order to truly be free, we must shed our preconceived notions on how our lives should look. When you look back on your life will you remember the rules that you kept or the honest life you lived with reckless abandonment?Love and Light,Kristian Candie

Love and Light,

Kristian Candie