LIVE IN FAITH, HAVE HOPE

LIVE IN FAITH, HAVE HOPE I was silent for a while, but I am back and have something wonderful to share with you! I had the honor of teaching English as a Second Language to the Prior General of Rome – first man under The Pope! The past month was amazing for me. I lost my spirit somewhere in the shuffle of life – difficult not to given what I have endured throughout the years, but I think this experience enlightened me, and I may just get it back. While I was teaching, I learned how important it is to live in faith and have hope. What better time than now to share these thoughts with you? It is a general truth – universal, if you will, but I never think about these things when I am in turmoil, do you? It is true. Think about your life and all you have sacrificed and survived. Focus on the fact that you are here, right now, in this moment. I know it sounds so cliché, especially when you’re not in a good place and friends and family say the same things: “There are people who have it worse,” “It can always be worse; there are people who have no water in the world,” “Appreciate what you have,” “Have faith and things will get better,” and “Count your blessings.” But heed what I say today, and trust me because I have been there, too, and I am sure I will be there, again. The difference is that next time, I’ll have a new attitude. I actually agree with all of the above, but it’s not easy to believe those words of encouragement when you feel the way you do. I understand, and this is what I will tell you…. Our lives are very different. Each of us and our situations, unique. We are immersed in all kinds of trials and tribulations, together and apart. All that aside, though, we have the same choices to make. We can either drown ourselves in worry and dismay and lose the spirit, the fire inside of us that everyone loved, or we can accept our adversities and confront them with a strong, positive mental attitude that lets it be known that they cannot – and will not – break us. The key is believing it. Say it with conviction. Know it. Feel it. You know yourself best and you know when you’re faking it. Be true to yourself. From my experience, it takes time. And more time after that. I didn’t wake up on April 1st (after exchanging lessons with one of the most important men in the Vatican and the closest to God I’ve ever been) as a whole person again – completely transformed into this spiritual, fantastic human being who is ever so positive in her darkest moments (that would be incredibly ironic for April Fool’s Day). I do, however, remember the times in my life when I really tested faith – and hope – and the greatest of these was the birth of my son. I never prayed so much in my life. I never held onto hope so much in my life. He is here. And God has heard. And I have faith, and I have hope that He will hear me again. During this time, remember that crucial circumstance in your life when a prayer was answered. Let it restore your faith whenever you’re in doubt. Whether it be the forces of the Universe or God or some Supreme Being out there, Faith is faith. Hope is hope and Believing is believing. The important thing is that we will get through this day and we will rise with tomorrow and see the sun. We will Live in Faith and Have Hope because we can – and we will – overcome. And our spirits will be back, again.