With spring comes all the beauty of new blossoms and beginnings.  Just as we are getting restless with our old winter routine, renewed life and beauty arrive.  In comes spring!

Allowing yourself to blossom and reach your potential is something that we all have an opportunity to learn.  It takes a conscious decision to do things to help us achieve our potential.  

We can choose to live our lives at our current potential or to take ourselves to the next level.  Often we look to reading self-help books, listening to motivational podcasts, and reciting daily affirmations to help us find renewed potential.  I find all of those very helpful, but always in combination with prayer.

When I am at a crossroads and am looking to take the next step, the first thing I review is, “Who is in Control?”  I have yet to find a way to both stay in control and follow my intended path.

When I take control, despite knowing that another alternative is my path, the outcome normally does not exceed my dream.  When I surrender control, pray for direction, and trust in my faith, the outcome normally far exceeds anything I had imagined.  

I have found that my thoughts and dreams regarding my life and my intended path are often very different.  When I take the time to work through my options, normally I know the option that will move my life forward; the option that will allow me to live my life for something greater.  

Sometimes it is as simple as all the other options fizzling out.  Other times it is being aware of that sick feeling in your stomach when you start to head down a particular path.  In either of these cases, I turn to prayer to direct me to my intended path.  

Having the perseverance to stay the course is often a challenge, particularly when you relinquish control.  I have stayed on course for years not knowing why the path I was taking was the right one for me.  As my life has unfolded, I can see why each path prepared me for the next.  

Going to college was not in my plan, nor did I understand why I needed a Ph.D.  When I let go of control, unique opportunities started to blossom in my life.  My dream was to be a stay-at-home mom, but that was only a small portion of what God had planned for me. 

I was able to live in various states across the country and through my career was able to explore many different countries.   I have met people of diverse cultures and have friends throughout the world.  My life has gone full circle and I am now living near family.  I am as close to a stay-at-home mom as possible and my children have been blessed by knowing the value of family.  

Through relinquishing control, valuing perseverance, continual prayer, and relying on faith my life continues to bloom, God is good! 

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