compassion

when it comes to trying new things and stepping outside of our comfort zones we are all TERRIFIED, are we not? 

if you say you aren't... it's probably because you've already experienced that initial "first step out."
you've already overcome the fear of the unknown and you're comfortable with new life experiences.

as for me? i'm not quite there yet.
and i'm utterly jealous that you've already made it to that point.

okay. you're probably thinking
what in the world is she talking about?

i firmly believe that we are on this earth for a purpose, and that purpose is to serve others.

I'm striving to become a nurse. i will help ease the pain and suffering that is a part of this life.

we are here to show love in every aspect of our lives,
and to use whatever gifts we have to do GOOD in this world.
we have so many opportunities in our daily lives to help other people, but a lot of times we don't acknowledge those opportunities,
or even have a desire to do something for another person.
but why is this?

we wonder what to do, how to do it, and if we will even make a difference because of the fact that there are so many issues in front of us.
what we don't realize is that even the smallest thing can make the biggest difference.
from holding the door for someone to helping an elderly person to their car.
from volunteering at the local soup kitchen to donating blankets to shelters.
from a smile to a handshake.
anything and everything makes a difference.

my life is driven by this.
i have so many things i want to do and so many people i want to impact.

 i have the opportunity every single day to make a difference in people's lives.
i am so blessed with this.

however, i have this dream of doing more. going more places. helping more people. but 
i just haven't taken that initial step out of my comfort zone. the comfort zone i was just talking about.
i'm still living in this warm, comfortable, financially stable, and safe environment.
but yet i long to get out of it and do more.
i long to travel to Africa, and work in an orphanage.
i long to sit on dirt floors with children and do nothing but tell stories
i long to live a life of poverty even for a short time to see what others experience.

i ask myself why i haven't done any of this yet and i'm still trying to answer that.
i just know i'm getting there one day at a time.
i'm trusting that my time will come
that my idea of a "comfort zone" will just slip away.
because really.. this dream of serving in another country will never, ever go away.