#beokay

Maybe beyond the questions we ask and the answers we give, there is all this other space to slow down and live in the moment, and just be at peace without having a solution for everything right now. Maybe this is all about trusting and believing that even though we have come across the kind of worries that are so much greater than us, by grace we can believe in what is greater, even in things unseen.

Wherever you are right now, may you start to find yourself in a place that allows you room to breathe and be free from the burden of having everything figured out. May you find that you can absolutely give your all in this life without knowing how it all works out. You can still trust and believe in what is greater than you even when you are climbing the greatest mountains of your life.

You are still wrapped in grace, even when you cannot find the right words to say. You are still free to experience peace, even when the brokenness is healing. Don’t let the rush of life rush you in this season. The world may move on, but so will you...at the pace in which you were meant to.

You do not have to make sense of everything right now. You do not have to rush your way up this mountain. Light is still pouring in here, and within it there is room to let go of the fear that you are not where you need to be if you are still needing time to heal. Rest in the sweet assurance that you are learning and you are growing, in the grace, in the Light. And if the process seems a little slower these days, that is entirely alright.

Learning to be confident is a lifelong journey, and it’s often something we have to visit over and over again, in different settings and stages of life. What it took to be confident in primary school is different than what it took in high school. What confidence looks like on a college campus looks different when you’re with your colleagues. Feeling confident in your own skin may look one way with your friends, but entirely different when you are with your family.

It’s okay if you’re still trying to figure out what confidence looks in this season, because the secret is: no one has completely figured out yet. Someone may be a natural born leader, outgoing and charismatic, or an expert in their field, but it is impossible to live with absolute confidence and assurance about everything. Everyone has an “I don’t know.” Even the wisest of us all.

However, the “I don’t knows” don’t have to stop you from being confident. You can still breathe deep and take a mindful look at each day, and go searching for where you belong. And not just which friend group you belong to or which meeting you should be able to attend, but how you belong in the greater picture, and how you belong deep within.

Here are some things you can ask yourself to connect with a sense of confident belonging in daily life:

“What song, encouraging word, or story have I heard recently that I really identified with?”

“Who am I able to talk to with ease, without fear that I am secretly being judged?”

“What place can I always go to where I do not feel the same tension I feel other places?”

“What settings do not make me feel like I have to perform or meet someone’s expectation?”

“What childhood friends, places, or things made me feel like I could unapologetically be myself. How can I foster a similar feeling in my life today?”

Even though these questions have to with physical places, things, and people, they point to something deeper: you feel safe in those spaces. You feel related to and identified with...you feel like you belong, just as you are, and you are not defined by your flaws. You are naturally feel just a little more confident there.

You may not be able to spend all of your time in that space, but you can use them as landmarks in your mind to be reminded that even though you feel disconnected in some environments, that does not mean you feel disconnected everywhere. You may be standing in a hallway, feeling like some doors are always closing on you, but confidence reminds you: there are other doors. There are others places where you are welcomed.

We've all experienced an awkward quiet during a chat, a miscommunication with a coworker, or a first date that isn't going well. Uncomfortable social circumstances are a part of life for many of us, and they may be a cause of stress and worry.

Fear of judgment is a major source of discomfort in social interactions. We are frequently concerned about what others think of us and dread being perceived as uncomfortable, dumb, or disrespectful. It's crucial to remember, though, that these sentiments are natural and that everyone has them from time to time.

So, how can we deal with these awkward social situations? One approach is to concentrate on being present in the moment. We may focus on being completely involved in the conversation and making an effort to connect with people rather than worrying about what others think of us.

Another method for reducing stress is to utilize comedy. A joke or a self-deprecating remark might assist to alleviate the uneasiness and return everyone to a more comfortable attitude.

It's also a good idea to keep a few conversation starters on hand, such as inquiring about someone's interests or discussing current events. This might assist to keep the conversation running smoothly and in a good direction.

Terkadang ketakutanmu mampu mengalahkan pikiranmu

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Ketakutanmu jugalah yang mampu mematikan langkahmu.

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Wajar memang, untuk memiliki rasa takut dalam hidupmu, tapi kamu harus mencoba untuk mengatasinya, jangan biarkan ketakutanmu mengendalikan dirimu.

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Tenangkan dirimu sejenak, ubah cara pandangmu, mungkin saja dirimu selama ini dipenuhi dengan pikiran-pikiran negatif yang sebenarnya itulah yang memusnahkan semua mimpimu.

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Bersyukurlah selalu, dekatkan dirimu pada Tuhan, hilangkan ketakutanmu dengan perlahan.

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Kamu pasti bisa karena kamu adalah manusia yang kuat.