Try Again

 I know...it didn't work. I know...you got hurt. I know...you got disappointed and discouraged. I know...you don't want to be rejected again. I know...you do not want to hear "no" again. I know...you're wondering when it's going to be your turn. I know...the goals and the dreams seems far out of your reach. I know and it is okay. I have felt all of the above at some point in my life. Life has a way of knocking you down and having you not know what to think. Circumstances also have a way of leaving us wondering if there is more and will things get better. When life happens, we have a choice of whether to get back up or not. Just like there are four seasons in nature, I believe there are different seasons in our lives. Each season teaches us something, either about ourselves or others. Every season comes with its own set of challenges. In those moments, we can choose to do our best, learn from it and try again. In those same seasons, we connect with people, who we either have lifelong relationships with or short-term relationships with. Regardless of the amount of time they are in our lives, it is for a reason. We may not see it at that moment, but later on, we may see it. The person taught us something about ourselves or relationships and people in general. Seasons also allow us to grow. We grow through the things we have to try again on. Keep growing! We may not get everything right the first time. We may not pass the test the first time or get the score we wanted (this is my struggle area that's hard for me to try again in, but I'm getting there!). We may not get all A's or B's for a quarter or semester. That relationship with the man or woman didn't work out and may have ended much different than you intended. You may be filling out job applications, but have not received any calls back yet. It is okay. I know it doesn't feel okay at the time (trust me- I know!). But you know what they all had in common? Effort. They all showed that someone took a step and made an attempt to do something. We tried. We took the step forward anyway even if it hurt. We all have at least one area that it is hard for us to make that move again because we are afraid of the outcome. Thoughts of what if, will it not work again, or I can't risk getting hurt again may fill our mind. Paranoia and numbness sets in. We all have those feelings and it is okay to acknowledge those feelings. The key is to tell ourselves that we cannot stay there. We cannot let our past  paralyze our future moves. We cannot let it keep us from moving forward. We have to try again. We have to stay open to what God wants to do in our lives and we could miss out if we don't try again. Great opportunities, relationships, books, businesses and adventures could be missed if we don't try again. Connect with someone new again. Take the test again. Ask questions again. Love again. Apply again. Write again. Research again. Plan again. Dream again. Whatever you need to try again, go for it. No, we do not know how it is going to turn out. We won't know unless we try though. I saw a quote on social media the other day that said, "Say yes to new adventures." Yes! Let's say yes to the new and try again!