Never Compare Your Chapter 1 to Someone Else's Chapter 20

This is something I am constantly reminding myself. I have a bad habit, sometimes, at looking into someone else's life and thinking, why am I not there yet? And then I remember, because I didn't want to be there when I had the opportunity or I've never been ready to be there and so I am here. I love my here and now. Do I have hopes and desires for things that have not happened yet? Absolutely! Will I let that be something that holds me back from being the best at all the things I do until I get there? Hell no!

With Trisha at the Iron Man 3 Premier

On rare occasions I look at my life and think, why? Why am I 30 with a menial job, no boyfriend or husband, no financial wealth, no great accomplishments to my name?? How did I end up as this person? Because I had such grand dreams when I was younger of who I would be at 30 years old. And then I slap myself and realize I have a pretty fantastic life! I am 30 and single and have the ability to travel or move whenever I want because I have no one thing tying me down to one place. My job is mobile and can go with me anywhere I decide to go. Not to mention the opportunity this job has given me to experience places like Dallas Texas and Puerto Rico! I have been blessed with a multitude of friends all with different life experiences to help guide me through my own trials.

Hanging with local celebs at the Iron Man 3 Premier

I sat  here today and looked over an old friend's facebook page and realized she's married finally, has a kid, their own home and a great steady job. And I looked at that and for a split second thought, how is this possible and I'm sitting here with  none of that? And then I just laughed and said but oooh look at what I do have! I just met with the event planner this morning that I just started working, she wants to take her company to the next level and in doing that she wants my help (and two other girls). She wants to get us all dolled up and sized for outfits and have a photo shoot for the website! She wants us to get her information about what we enjoy working with so she can cater our responsibilities to our likes and what we're good at and she wants to know our goals. I think this is fantastic! I have been dying to get into this industry for YEARS and here it is falling into my lap finally!

With Victoria and JJ - A Boxed Event Planning Meeting 

On a weekly basis I have the opportunity to mingle and network with the societal elite in Wilmington! I know the Mayor and his wife by their first names and they know who I am on sight. I have rubbed elbows with Dr's and lawyers and actors and producers as well as the people who run numerous non-profit organizations. I take pictures of these people for a local magazine and most of them remember me every time they see me and ask how I am. I've made friends with the best hair dressers a girl could ask for and people who own their own clothing stores! I have been given the opportunity to volunteer with the hospital's founder's gala committee in planning their annual gala again this year. I have shaken hands with the man that owns the local baseball team and met his wife. I truly KNOW Wilmington and all the people who make this town work.

With Terry and Kendall of Salon Beyond Basics

Founder's Gala Committee

I did not get these things by sitting idly by and watching life happen, I received BLESSINGS by putting myself out there! Making sure these people know who I am! And by going to church every Sunday, reading my scriptures and living the Gospel the way I've always known I should. I have been SO incredibly blessed in the last 6 months. I am not living a flush life full of financial freedom in a big fancy apartment or zooming around town in a brand new car. By no means am I well off. But the things that I have worked SO hard to achieve are finally happening because I took my life out of my own hands and offered it up to God and I worked hard at being patient and waiting for His timing on things. I am learning daily that when I want something badly and pray for it to happen, it may not happen immediately but it does happen, in God's time. Because our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us, when we can handle things and when we need things to happen. And so I may not be married with children and a mini-van (not that I really want the last two...) but I am happy and content with the incredible life that I do have and all the people that are a part of it. I have met and am "dating" (I use quotes because when I say dating I mean literally just going out on dates...for the time being) the most incredible man I have ever met in my life with the strongest testimony I've ever heard and I don't know if it will ever become something other than a friendship but I have come to realize that even having this person in my life as a friend is a blessing. I have the most amazing roommate who just radiates light and strength in the Gospel and is a constant blessing to have in my home! I am so grateful that she needed somewhere to live and the Lord pointed her in my direction.

At the Founder's Gala with Renee Saffo (Mayor's Wife!) and Sandy Spears 

So the next time you look at someone else's life and start counting their blessings that you are lacking...stop. Take a moment to breathe and really look at YOUR life! I bet it's just as wonderful if not more so than that other person's!