I once had someone say, “don’t let this make you hard-hearted”.. when I was going through what I thought was the hardest time of my life! Our business had been robbed and we were out on our asses with four young children to take care of! These words have stayed with me through any hard things I face! Ironically, I can’t remember who even said these words to me. I just know that they were important to hear!

I want and choose to extract happiness from common things and see the best in hard circumstances!

As I come at you with a message today, I have lots of thoughts running through my mind! It took me a bit to decide what picture to add with this post. As I was scrolling through photos I came across these two photos of me about ten years apart and probably fifty pounds difference. I am now in the middle of these two photos! Do I dare say, I am happy heavier?! Confidence comes in speaking your truth!

In the photo where I am the thinnest I’ve ever been, I was less experienced and struggling greatly with anxiety! The photo where I am at my largest was just months before my husband and I made the decision to stop drinking. We are now about a year and a half sober! Today, I am in the middle of these two weights and I am happier than I’ve ever been!

On April 3rd (less than twenty days ago) I learned some of the hardest news I will ever have to hear as a parent. I am still happy! I am at a stage of life where I can still strive and find happiness, even amidst the hardest situations. Not because I am hard-hearted and refuse to be moved by challenging times, but because I am more experienced! I refuse to let any circumstance take my sunshine! I know that even when it’s hard and I can’t share it all as it’s happening, I can be confident that in the future it will be the tools I use to be a light for others! My own light is forced to shine brighter! Mostly because I refuse to let stressful times take away the best parts of life! The birds are still chirping, the sun comes up and we are given each day to do what we decide! Deciding to be compassionate, caring, loving and often said .. “too nice”, is better than the alternative!! I feel best when spreading joy, even while working through my own hard stuff!

The wisdom you gain through life experiences helps you realize that it’s all about choosing love! Self love and forgiveness have been the key for me to build an exceptional life!

I have goals to continually become the best version of myself and I am still working to truly keep life balanced! I had formerly chose to not eat the cake. I have recently been in the chapter of- I am gonna eat cake cause we only live once. At this point my approach is to just be moderate and have a smaller piece of cake and be content!

I definitely want to be compassionate and loving to others, while still taking care of myself! I choose to consciously steer clear of being hard-hearted! I am working on balance and not being consumed by all the heavy stuff in the world!

I truly believe we are here on God’s green earth to live a happy and joyful life. It doesn’t mean it will be easy. I just know that the wisdom gained from walking through the hard parts.. is worth having to go through it!

So here’s to the thin version of myself, the heavier version and the one in between.. cheers to never becoming hard-hearted, no matter what the world throws at me! I am going to live my best life, no matter what chapter or path I am on! I am going to love myself the way I love others! I encourage you to do the same!!

Stay Rosy, Amber ❤️🤟

#Halfwaytoanywhereyouputyourmindto #Halfwaythere