Each of us lead completely different lives. Most are not even similar when it comes down to what makes us, as a person. Each of us are made of bricks-bricks of likes and dislikes, interests, experiences, backgrounds, trials, accomplishments, standards, morals and so on. No two of us have matching stories. Each of us has different and unique "house" made of these bricks.
There is a common story of two railcars, that when one switch is flipped on the railroad track, those two cars end up hundreds, or even thousands of miles apart.
The same is with us.
I take a step in one direction, you take a step in another direction. We lead completely different lives. Our lives are ours to own, create, live. That is what makes life so beautiful, we build or own "house" of life all on our own.
I have made goals for my family, for myself. Once those goals are created, what do we do with them? Do we write them and place them on a bathroom mirror only to never touch them again? Do we leave them on a shelf only to collect dust? Do we even rely on others to make those dreams come alive? Or do we put in the work, take one step at a time, live through the sweat, tears, and heartache, and make those dreams a reality?
You have your trials that have shaped and molded you, I have mine. It is what we do with these stepping stones of life that determines the strength of our "house."
I don't have to look very far in my life to see examples of people who took those misshapen, hardened stones, and made them bricks of incredible strength. Those examples have so much to give, so much encouragement inside. They are people who have truly taken their trials in stride, and didn't give up on their goals, or where they wanted their railcar to be headed. Through these examples, I can see that these trials have given direction, direction for good.
Do you know anyone like this? What is their story? What footprints are they leaving behind?
As I think of this "house" I am creating, I am thankful. I am thankful for the bricks made of me and who I am. I am thankful for the bricks laid in place with laughter, and tears, and struggle. I am thankful for those that were simply given to me as trials, when I didn't see them coming. Trials that landed on my shoulders. I am thankful for the strength to lay them down, and hopefully, build up my house with those misshapen rocks.
What will you do? Keep that trail or hardship on your shoulders to carry around? Or lay it down in that great house you are building and use it as a stepping stone?
Our lives are all different. We all build a different house. Every day we have the chance to change the direction our lives are heading. At the end of the day, it is our responsibility alone to own where our railcar is headed. It is my hope that, just as these thoughts have reminded me, we may be reminded: If it is time to flip that switch, do it.
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