As it is immensely important to believe in yourself to accomplish your goals, I have found that when you're starting out, it can be extremely discouraging when you just don't have the resources to make certain things happen. If only a snap of your fingers, or a wave of a wand could make our dreams come true, things would be so easy. We wouldn't have to stress about money, or knowing the right people, or just being a piece of paper when applying to a job. All of that would just vanish. Even though my generation is faced with the unfortunate challenge of an almost impossible job market, I think maybe this could be a great lesson for anyone who is striving for a certain goal, or going through a loss, or just aren't in a place they want to be, and feel its just not turning out the way they hoped. But that's the beauty of it. Isn't that what typically happens in life? We make plans and then something changes and our once plan evaporates? Like it was never there in the first place.

I feel that over this last year and a half or so I have grown an insane amount (figuratively). I've learned so much about relationships, what not to put up with in them, how to have respect for myself, and actually give myself a voice and not let someone walk all over me. I've learned that I won't settle for a guy just to be with a guy. I've learned about true love and what that means in it's most raw essence once the ego has been observed. I've learned to listen to the silence inside of me. The silence is my intuition and the best guide for following my passion and staying focused in a clear direction when it could be so easy to let things get fuzzy. From my growth spiritually, (I'm NOT talking about religion) I have learned to believe in myself. I've learned to surround myself with people and the energy that I want in my life. All of these wonderful things I have learned through experiences, some really great ones and others where I had to pull myself out of doubt, sadness, nonacceptance, and simply just being pissed off that I couldn't have what I wanted, and felt like I deserved. But I have learned that EVERY situation in life (pleasant or unpleasant) serves as a lesson for us to learn. One thing that I think is really important is that people learn to ASK for help when they need it. Set aside your fear of people turning you down and fear of being rejected while your in a vulnerable place. When you come from a sincere place of compassion, and love, almost always you will receive positive feedback. This is what I have learned to do. It's in the nature of people to want to help others. Doesn't it make you feel good when you can help someone accomplish something? When you can help them achieve a goal that maybe they couldn't without some outside help? I think it's a magnificent thing to be able to help others. I believe it spreads more love, brings people together, and can make challenges in life a little less stressful. I think if people learn to come together more to share life experiences they have, spread their wisdom, learn that it's okay to be vulnerable, and see every experience as an opportunity to learn we will be shifting how we operate at a fundamental level, for the better.

We are all on our own paths, on our own journeys of life. Which I feel is such a unique and special thing. But DON'T STOP BELIEVING when things aren't happening the way you want them to. YES, set goals and go for them, but there IS a divine plan that might not exactly match the one you've conjured in your mind. Get quiet, find your passion through what excites you and brings you joy. Be open to all possibilities, use your resources and get creative in how you can achieve goals. Someone told me this and I believe it;  "If it's important to you, you will find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse." It might not happen as quickly as the wand trick, but the process of getting to an enlightened or desired place cannot come with being in some darkness. Let that be okay.

Breanne Benson

http://shiningforgood.org/

breanne@shiningforgood.org