Repentance?

So I went to my amazing Atonement class tonight, and not only was it amazing, it was really amazing because everything I have been pondering the past week was addressed! I love when that happens!!!
And of course I have waited till way to late to type this out :(  and I am exhausted.
Its really good though!
So make sure to come back when I update this post!

Victim or Survivor?

I was having a conversation last night with a friend I have lost touch with and we were talking about the power we have to create our own life. This friend was struggling and I shared some things I have learned of the past year, and have just started to put into action the past 4-5 months. Thought I would share with you....
What did I realize? I realized over the coarse of the past year that I can either choose to be a victim, or I can choose to be a survivor. I thought, do I want to be the person always needing someone to pick me up when I am down...or do I want to be the support for those around me? Do I want to feel helpless and hopless...or do I want to feel helpful and hopeful?
Do you see the difference between the two, between the victim and the survivor? The victim is looking inward and the survivor is looking outward. I know that once I realized the vast difference between the person I was and the person I wanted to be and how simple, not easy...but simple, the changes were...I knew I could change my ways.
Does this mean I never get sad, or that I never get stuck reflecting inward? No. I just now realize in those moments that I need to drop it and move on. Does this also mean that I am always in the service of my brothers and sisters? No.
I am far from perfect....but this is the person I want to be. I want to turn my life outward, I want my life and all I have been thru to benifit as many people as it can...and that means opening my mouth and taking some risks. People may not like what I have to say, and thats okay. I know why I am here on this earth...and I now know how simple it is to be that person. All It takes is choosing to move on when I am focused on me and feeling down...thats it! Simple right?

I came across a poem tonight in a book I pick up from time to time, and it is fitting.

"Accept your power to make choices. Life is fluid with possibilities.

Each of us has incredible power to shape our life and reshape our

world. you can choose to have as magnificent a life as you want.

Or you can choose to suffer magnificently. You alone choose how

 you react to what happens in life. And a lot happens, doesn't it? Just

when life seems on track, we get slipped a pink slip. We answer

the phone and get a medical diagnosis that fills us with terror. We

see a loved one walk out the door, looking for love in all the wrong

 places. But remember your power. Honor your great ability to

turn despair into hope. We can choose to transform the darkest of

circumstances into the brightest of opportunities. We can choose

to ask for help. We alone are responsible for the abundance of our

day, for the depth of our suffering. Easier said than done? Absolutely.

It requires gut-wrenching courage to accept responsibility for our

own life, emotions, self-image, and well-being. But we never do it

alone. We are always fortified with more support, light, and love than

we could ever imagine."

 ~Susan Skog