The things you regret most in life are the risks you didn’t take. Being courageous doesn’t mean that you aren’t afraid. Being courageous means that you have the inner strength to embrace being afraid and still move forward.

Sometimes in life it is scary being vulnerable and open, especially after being hurt. But I would rather open my heart wide open and feel it all than to keep it closed and feel nothing. I’m thankful that God made me a strong girl with a heart that is all too comfortable with being vulnerable. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am a real person, and I am gentle, but I thank the Lord that he made me strong as well. It’s a settled assurance of God’s strength and not my own. I feel everything, even when people can’t feel it for themselves. Ernest Hemmingway once said “The best people possess a feeling for beauty, the courage to take risks, the discipline to tell the truth, the capacity for sacrifice. Ironically, their virtues make them vulnerable; they are often wounded, sometimes destroyed.” But the wounds are the most beautiful part about the story. The wounds sometimes hurt more than words could begin to describe. They cause scars and they create tears that will eventually fade. But I would rather be unapologetically my whole self than to let no one feel my heart at all. Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we will ever do. People will come in and out of our lives, and the will teach us lessons that will continue to build up in the wisdom library of our brains and in our hearts. We grow and gain from each person that walks in and out of our lives. God puts people there for a reason and a season. Somewhere down the line, we will look back and realize God’s greater plan. It’s not always easy, and it sometimes hurts, but it’s always beautiful and it’s always from the hand of God. Sometimes with me I am so gentle with a sweet and innocent spirit, that certain people look at my soul and character as weak. And the funny thing is, that is the complete opposite. I’ve always seemed to surprise people in the midst of the heat because I’m the one person who will stand up when no one else will. I choose to be humble in my strength and wise in my words. I will always continue to share my heart with people even after it’s been broken. My stepdad once told me “Do not ever let the world or a person make you hard or take that gentle soul away from you. You have something vary rare, and people will realize that, but some when it’s too late.” That’s some of the wisest advice I have ever gotten. In my life experience, most have realized it when it was too late to have that next chance and they have never remained the same. The one comment that has been voiced to me over and over is “I would give anything to be able to go back and change everything.” I must say that with that comes a sense of peace knowing that through all of the pain that I endured that I changed people for the better. I would endure the pain all over again to be able to make a difference in this world. Softness is not weakness. It takes courage to stay delicate in a world this cruel. Everyone has their own destiny. I will always stand up for what I believe in and never settle for less than I deserve, but I will never hold fault for someone who’s destiny is different than mine. I will always forgive the inexcusable in others because God has forgiven the inexcusable in me. None of us are perfect, there is a crack in everything, that’s how light gets in. But I would hate to let fear hold me back from letting that light in. Nothing will haunt you more than the things you didn’t say or the chances you didn’t take. Life isn’t always supposed to be comfortable. Sometimes the places you are supposed to be moving towards will feel uncomfortable simply because it is preparing you for something new with unmet territory and a greater destiny. I learned something important tonight. You should’t stop everything from happening. There is a give and a take. A speak up and a keep quiet and let things happen. Sometimes you are supposed to feel awkward. Sometimes you’re supposed to be vulnerable in front of people. Sometimes it’s necessary because it’s all part of getting to the next part of yourself. I spoke with a counselor one time who told me that if it felt too comfortable, it wasn’t right. We repeat patterns, so the vulnerability and the newness of creating new and healthier patterns shouldn’t feel comfortable. Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy- the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. Embrace your story and embrace your vulnerability. Too many people hold on to their past and hold themselves accountable for their mistakes. Guess what? God has already forgiven you. You just haven’t forgiven yourself. And guess what? You are letting the devil win. Forgive yourself and embrace your future with vulnerability and passion and love. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and help bring out your vulnerability. People who push you to new heights and urge you to grow in ways that you have never experienced before. We will always have speed bumps in life, and times that will hurt like hell, but we will be happier because of the sadness that we have experienced, and we will be stronger because being strong is the only choice we had. If you are passionate, don’t restrain yourself from spilling all that you are. The world needs more passion, and less indignation and fear. Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect. Embrace your imperfections and share your testimony. People need you and your story. Half the time the things we do to avoid vulnerability end up causing us more pain than vulnerability itself. And the consequence is loosing special moments or people forever that you can’t get back. Don’t take that chance, embrace vulnerability, pour your heart out, get hurt, and grow from it. I promise you these storms are only trying to wash you clean.

She’s trying to build herself up. Her goal is to add value to other’s Life via her passionate demeanor. Don’t take her kindness as weakness because nobody is built like her. She overcame, she’s sacrificed and she is still standing. Her goal is to be love and give love. She’s fragile, but she’s a rock. Make sure you recognize her ability quickly because she is the total package and yes, she’s that ready. -Sylvester McNutt