this summer

This summer was different than the last few summers, 
I think I learned more than I originally expected.
I gained more than I lost, 
but Oh I did lose... 

This summer my character was challenged and questioned,
it was picked apart and torn open, 
my heart was out on the table, left vulnerable for anyone who wanted to take a stab. 

This summer I figured out exactly who I am, 
I don't think I've ever been more confident. 

I thank YOU for that. 

There are going to be people that you meet that don't understand you,

they don't understand how you think or why you think that way. 

They don't understand what you're heart is about, it may even frustrate them that you are the way that you are. 

There's going to be people that put down your accomplishments,

they question your abilities and put themselves in front of you. 

You know what I have to say about that?

Let them.

 Let those people challenge you and let them see who you really are. 

Make them think twice about your reactions, 

because those people that are questioning you? 

They're really questioning themselves. 

Y'all... I really love my dog. 

It's hard not to get caught up in everyone else, 

it's hard to put your emotions aside and really look at the bigger picture. 

Just remember: 

If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you. 

Speaking of challenges,

Yesterday I faced one of the biggest challenges of my life!

I rode my bike 54 miles. 

 

There were definitely times that I wanted to cry and call it quits, 

I even had to walk my bike up a gravel hill, 

----

Who the hell plans a road bike race with 20 miles of gravel road? 

----

Anyway, my quads were cramping, the wind was blowing, 

But, I made it. 

It's true, if you believe you can do it, 

you will do it!

Challenge yourself. 

(I even got to meet some pro's!)

Be proud of yourself and have confidence in your own abilities,

don't question yourself when people are questioning you. 

Have the confidence you know you have, just be you.