If I Could Tell My 18-Year-Old Self One Thing, It Would Be This (It's The Same Thing I'm Telling My 35-Year-Old-Self)
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Something about this year has put me in a really nostalgic mood. Actually, I kind of always feel nostalgic; I guess it’s just part of my personality. But, for whatever reason, I’ve been extra nostalgic this year. And with graduation season in full swing, I’ve been thinking a lot about my own graduations, particularly my high school graduation.
I’ve been remembering the music I was listening to (Nickle Creek on repeat), the books I was reading (The Sacred Romance and Wild at Heart by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge), the plans I was making (college) and the hopes and dreams I was nurturing (getting married). I recall the excitement, the nervousness, and the feeling that the whole world was wide open to me, like the endless bright blue summer skies.
I had high hopes—and a lot to learn about how to let God guide me into His plans for me (which of course I’m still learning, but thankfully have made some progress in).
As I reflect on how my path has meandered over the last 17 years from high school graduate to professional counselor-turned-writer, I’ve been wondering: What advice would I give the 2003 version of myself?
MY BEST ADVICE
If I could tell my 18 year-old-self one thing, it would be this:
Pay attention to your heart.
As you seek direction for your life, tap into what God has already put inside you. When you feel a spark of life, when you feel deep satisfaction, when you yearn for something—pay attention. Most often, these are whispers from your deepest self. They are smoke signals from the fire God lit inside you before you were born. These are some of the primary ways God will guide you forward.
Your heart is not superfluous; it really matters. It is where you meet with God. It is His holy home. As His temple, it’s the nexus point between Heaven and Earth. God wants to move through you to impact the world around you, and that holy work starts in and flows from your heart. You have something to share that only you can share. When you ignore, demean, or diminish what’s in your heart, not only do you miss out but so do the people God has called you specifically to minister to.
So take time to regularly connect with your heart. Meet God there. Let Him tend to your heart, purifying it, healing it, and leading you through it. His plans for you are good, and your future is bright!
A KEY TO A FLOURISHING LIFE AT ANY AGE
The thing is, it’s not just my 18-year-old self that needs to hear these words. It’s my 35-year-old self too. So I’ve been reminding myself lately: Your heart matters. Pay attention to what it’s telling you.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life” (NASB). If we want to enjoy the flourishing, purposeful life we were created for and fully embrace God’s plans for us, we must tend to our hearts.
But, how do we do that, exactly? Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll be sharing some practical ways to get in touch with your heart! I’ll see you then.
In purpose and faith,
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What advice would you give your 18-year-old-self? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!
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P.S.
I wrote this post because I’m on a mission to encourage and equip women to live the life of faith, passion, and purpose that we were made for. You can help make a difference by sharing this post with a friend (or friends!) who you think would be encouraged or inspired by it. Thanks!
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