"Self-acceptance comes from meeting life’s challenges vigorously. Don’t numb yourself to your trials and difficulties, nor build mental walls to exclude pain from your life. You will find peace not by trying to escape your problems, but by confronting them courageously. You will find peace not in denial, but in victory."

J. Donald Walters
Author, Lecturer and Playwright

If we lived like the quote above suggests, we’d me more content and happier in our lives. I know this personally from a tragedy that struck my family a couple of years ago. My wife of 15 years passed away after a 9 month battle with cancer. You can read our story here. But, thankfully, I’ve learned on my own personal development journey that you can’t give up when bad things happen. Even though I wanted to quit, I didn’t. I had a responsibility and I was able to stick with it by getting help with the kids and meals.

I firmly believe that we are given challenges to become stronger. A diamond is a piece of coal that’s been under a lot of pressure for a very long time. We’re all diamonds in our own regard. Don’t get discouraged when bad things happen. Hold on to your faith and ask for help. It may be hard at first but whatever you need will be given by the people who surround you, even strangers.

Today I’m stronger and more appreciative of each day. I’ve learned the value of friends, family and time alone. I still have hard days but for the most part they are good. We’ve been able to come through a tough situation victorious. If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s this: Life is a giant portrait and we only get to see one little corner of it. But there’s a much bigger picture. If we hold on to our faith, there will come a day when we’re able to see the whole portrait. And I can’t wait to see it!

I know you can do it and I definitely believe in you~