Recently I have been getting up every morning to go swimming at our local pool. At first it was just a tactic to get me out of bed on time but it quickly became something I want to do. After the first few days I noticed the same group of people played volleyball every Tuesday and Thursday. They asked me to join them one day because they needed an extra player to make the teams even. I decided I would join them and I have since become, well as they say, the best player in the league..
I am sharing this story for two reasons. 1. It’s a fun story because these people are at least 50 years old and yet I feel more comfortable with them than I do with most of the kids my age. 2. I wouldn’t have gotten to know these people if it weren’t for me choosing to get out of bed in the morning.
One of these people told me the other day “Life is always going to throw crap at you but you don’t have to deal with all of it. You just need to choose the battles that are the most important and go from there.” Life is hard. Sometimes it’s not fun either. We aren’t superhuman and we can’t do everything. We definitely can’t do it all ourselves. I have found that I just have to pick the battles I am going to fight.
So I have chosen to fight depression. I have chosen to fight for good grades instead of fighting to get the “college experience”. In order to this I have had to make some changes. I get up every morning at 6:45 and go to the pool. Sometimes I swim laps, sometimes I play volleyball but I am always doing something. I have made homework a priority. I text my friends multiple times a week and try to go out with them once a week. I have unfollowed many people I went to high school with because it wasn’t healthy for me to keep comparing what they have to what I don’t have. I have started to find new things that interest me. (I’m trying my hand at wreath making..) All of these battles are ones I have chosen to fight. There are MANY more that I could choose to spend time fighting but it wouldn’t do any good for me. So I just let God handle those. I trust that he knows what is best for me and will do what needs done.
I encourage everyone to choose the battles that they are going to fight. We don’t have enough time or energy to fight everything that comes our way. We need to pick the ones that need the most immediate attention. Don’t spend time fighting for something that you don’t need to. Let God handle it.
Always remember every little thing is going to be okaye.
Love,
You have taken such clear steps to keep you on the path that you have set for yourself. I wish you resilience.
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You are exactly right, choose your battles. I hope that pool is indoors, otherwise, brrrr! What is the “college experience”? Is it going out, drinking, ignoring responsibilities? I’d say you are having the right kind of college experience. In the end you will be happier. Enjoy volleyball! It’s a lifetime sport.
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Such wise advice — choose your battles! You’re choosing the right ones. 🙂
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You are growing up and showing yourself to be quite a thoughtful young woman. Thank you for sharing your insights and observations.
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You are becoming such a strong woman. Fighting to be the best you. Love this post!
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I love your attitude, perseverance, and the things you have chosen to fight for.
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Look at all the goodness that has come your way because you chose to get out of bed to swim. Keep choosing the battles that matter.
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I love how you found a group of people by trying something new. I didn’t find many friends at college, and now that I am older I know that it was only a small part of my life. Keep taking care of your physical and mental health. So many joys are going to come your way. Thank you for writing such a reflective post.
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