I’ve been surrounded by some really wonderful people here recently. I think that’s really important, you know. They say you become a combination of your five closest friends, so be intentional when you’re choosing with whom to spend your time. When I consider the strong and kind people who show up for me and support me, I feel undoubtedly blessed. Blessed and highly favored.
The last few weeks have sent me on a little roller coaster (that’s a gentle way to put it). I tell an anecdote to a friend here, and trauma dump a little there. “Lynette, your life is like a telenovela!”, “Wait, what?”, and “You gotta write a book about this,” are three very valid, very accurate responses to what’s been going on in my world.
Post Malone really hit the nail on the head when he said “I’ve had a thousand bad times, so what’s another time to me?” The epitome of resilience, Post Malone is. And as easy as it could be to adopt a victim mentality, Dan reminds me daily, weekly, and constantly that nothing in this world happens to me. It happens for me. My friend David says, “Things are always working out for you!” (even when it feels like they are not, in fact, always working out for me). Bri reminds me how wise and resilient I am. Dan reminds me not to settle. Anna inspires me to be brave. Stephanie encourages me to work hard toward my goals and to pursue my ambitions with gusto. Bethany models wisdom when she pauses to pray over difficult-to-navigate situations. Lauren offers gentle encouragement when I feel behind or slow-moving. Ashly and Brittany and Jill love me so generously even though they live several states away.
Because through the thousand bad times, I am not a victim. I choose to fully receive them as lessons to learn, opportunities for character development, and avenues to explore my identity and how I choose to show up in the world. My friendships foster accountability and optimism, and I am forever grateful for it. Biblically (now don’t at me for quoting Post Malone and the Apostle Paul in the same breath) speaking, I know all things conspire in my favor (Romans 8:28). And that makes a lot of sense. Posty says “Thank you for the grave, I needed me a place to sleep.” An eternal optimist, Post Malone is.
I guess what I’m trying to say is:
“It’s gonna take a lot more to kill me, bitch.”
Please take this as an invitation to blast Posty with your five closest friends and become your own resilient eternal optimist. Everything is always working out in your favor.