“Difficulties are opportunities to better things;
they are stepping stones to greater experience.
Perhaps someday you will be thankful
for some temporary failure in a particular direction.
When one door closes, another always opens.”

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As of today, I have lived 18,743 days. If I live to be 90, that gives me 32, 850 days.
So, as of today, I could potentially have 14, 107 more days on this earth.
On my birthday this year, my daughter suggested, “52 Weeks of Being 52.”
I took it one step further and said, “52 Weeks, 52 Changes.”
Boy, little did I know the prophetic nature of my statement.
This week brings one huge change: I FINISH MY MASTERS DEGREE.
Those that love me, can’t wait. They are sick of hearing me talk about it, I’m sure.
But, there have been other little changes since we last talked:
1. I bought an electric toothbrush. Oh, no big deal, you say!
Well, my dentist has been after me for years.
“It will help delay your gum erosion.” After thousands of dollars and almost 8 1/2 hours in the dentist chair (over the past month),
I bought an electric toothbrush. Big change. Go ahead, try changing a habit. It ain’t easy.

2. After several rough patches in the teaching of my home school writing classes, I decided to make a change. Next year, I will be teaching only one very intentional,
very strategic writing class, open to 6th-10th (with some exceptions, as always) home educated students.
“A temporary failure in one direction” brought closure and fierce focus.As I walked this morning, I felt gratitude.
“Sometimes,” I thought, “The crushing blow brings an intense passion and renewal for what really matters. It can serve as a clarion call
when one is bent towards hearing.” Believe me, I love teaching writing, but in order to follow the greater call on my life,
I have to make a change. Scared? Yes. But I’ve been scared before.

3. In March, I started an Interval Training Program at my local gym, with personal trainer, Bev. Why? To get strong.
Why? Because when God asks me to “do exploits” for him, I want to be ready. They say, “You are as old as your back.”
Who is they? I don’t know, but it makes sense, right? Honestly, I thought I’d never be able to do it. But, slow and steady
wins the race.

4. I started talking to myself, alot. That’s right. Through a simple exercise I call, “THOUGHTERCISE,” I am telling myself
all kinds of truth-things. I’m rewinding and resetting my thought life and trying/leaning/praying for God to help me NOT allow
others to control my mind.

These are just a few of my little changes. How about you? Are you “stepping into any new changes in your life?” Do tell.

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