Life is all about change...

So I know I posted awhile ago about how much can change in a year. Well...let me just tell you...a whole heckuva lot can change in just TWO WEEKS!! 

Whew! I mean, my last two weeks have been a whirlwind!

Where to even begin...

Let's see...I rented my house out for 18 months, I found a small place to rent closer into Virginia Beach proper (I currently live in the country), and I am literally purging my household STUFF like you would NOT believe! And I move in 11 DAYS!!!!

At the beginning of November, I had no idea what was coming. My house was on the market and we were getting showings left and right, but no real bites. I was trying my hardest to not get frustrated or down about it because I knew I really didn't have a whole lot of control over it and that somehow, some way, God would work everything out for me. 

I had been praying for a buyer for my home; nothing major in my prayers, but saying it daily, often multiple times a day. After one particular disappointing showing, I looked up at God and said, "Please Lord...help me get out from under this mortgage...I don't want to take advantage of anyone, but I want to be able to help someone. Help this house be a blessing for someone." 

And within the next couple days, my realtor called me asking if I would be interested in renting it out. Turns out, the couple was having issues in their current home and needed to relocate quickly (not my story to tell, but it wasn't a pretty one!). Needless to say, they are moving in December 1, it is helping me in my current financial situation, and it is helping them out of their situation. I'd say God answered in a mighty way! 

With that, however, came the realization that I needed someplace to live! And fast! I started looking and quickly realized everything was basically out of my price range (for now) and texted my mom that everything looked hopeless (yes...I used those words). Wouldn't you know the very next day an amazing opportunity landed right in my lap? I couldn't have even dreamed it up!! 

My life has been full of changes this year. And while I originally viewed them as scary and unwanted, I have realized that more often than not, change is insanely beautiful. It's terrifying and often painful, but the end results are sometimes the most beautiful things. 

And that's exactly where I am right now. I embraced the changes of my life. I accepted that God had something different planned for my life. And I am going where He leads. I'm learning to listen for and to hear His voice.

And yes, it has been scary. But it has also been insanely freeing! I realized that I had an attachment to SO MUCH STUFF!! That literally doesn't mean anything! It isn't the STUFF I have that makes my life...it's the people and the relationships I have! And I have found that I am so incredibly blessed with the people in my life...and that? That is all I need! 

So this past weekend, I spent two days packing up, purging, selling, donating, trashing (you name it, I did it) all of the STUFF in my house. And it felt GOOD!! 

It is so freeing to let go of things that have been holding me back. I have a lot of emotional attachment and memories with the stuff in my house. And I'm at a place where I want to let it all go. I'm downsizing in a way I have NEVER done before (nor would I have been comfortable enough to do it), but I know this is what will set me free....will help me move on. 

These past six months have been some of the hardest in my life. I didn't often know what I was doing and I even more often questioned if what I was doing was right. I mean...there isn't a manual for this sort of thing. I got thrown into a mess and somehow have landed on the other side of it stronger than I ever thought possible. 

And the best part? The best part is that all of these changes have led to the realization that I don't necessarily want to be tied down to one place (in the sense of a house / mortgage / etc). And I FINALLY have the opportunity to take advantage of traveling and seeing the world! 

So yes...change is often insanely painful. And you don't always think you'll make it through the other side in one piece. And I can promise you it isn't always from point A to point B with no roadblocks. But what I can tell you is that it is necessary and beautiful and so worth it. 

It isn't always easy to embrace the change either. I know that. But if you are facing some sort of change in your life, take a breath and know that it won't always feel like the world is crumbling around you. Know that it won't always be tears and sadness and hopelessness. There will come tears of joy and laughter and HOPE. Keep moving forward through the change. Because that's all we can do. One step at a time, forward progress, head up and a smile on our faces.

I hope you all have a beautiful week. Head up, keep smiling and hoping! 

With love and wellness,
Whitney