I find in amusing that when we are stretched, we feel nobody understands what we are going through, including ourselves. Reading the end of that sentence, you may believe me to be crazy, but I say that because frequently we see our errors but for one reason or another, we just feel STUCK.
In the past when I would reach moments of my snapping point, I would look deeply in the mirror at myself and have a conversation. I needed someone to talk to me the way I needed, but I realized I wasn't being honest with myself.
Now that I have been married for almost a year, it is incredible how when my husband and I actually succeed in having deep, meaningful conversations, it has the same effect upon me as it did when I would look in a mirror. He tells me things that may be hard to hear, yet he still encourages me and helps me see what I need to do to make the changes in my life to become who I would like to become. He does not allow me to put the responsibility of my problems on him, rather, he teaches me how to be responsible for my weaknesses and patiently listens to me and corrects my irrational thoughts and breaks everything down into 2 simple steps: Figure out what is most important in your life at the time, and just do it (as much as you can every day so it doesn't weigh you down).
I know something like this may seem like common sense, but when you feel the responsibility of so many things around you, simplicity is not the first thing that comes to mind.
The reason I find it amusing that we feel nobody understands what we are going through is because in a lot of ways, we all experience these same stretching feelings. And oftentimes, everyone around us is going through moments of "stretch," yet some people have just learned how to not allow this to consume them and focus on others instead of themselves.
When I look at others being such incredible examples of this, especially in the area that I'm in right now where it is easy to feel overwhelmed by so many who need so much, I almost cry out of love and respect. Honestly though, it is such a beautiful depiction of what I imagine a loving Heavenly Father sees in us: Despite all the responsibilities and burdens and pains he goes through, in our moments of greatest sorrow, pain, or even excitement, he is there by our side whether we recognize it or not.
Sometimes these moments are so humbling when you recognize that as a human you can not accomplish nor master what you would like; however, you recognize that you truly are not alone and you have wonderful people surrounding you.
I am grateful to have a husband who understands me so well and can make me feel I am becoming the person I need to be. I am grateful he doesn't baby me when I feel things get to hard, but he pushes me (even though sometimes at the moment I may think he is being mean). I am grateful to have a few friends in my life who never give up on me or who forgive me when I give up on myself and everyone else around me. I am grateful to have such a wonderful family and family-in-law.
I am thankful for another day to try and become the person I need to become.
