I am so grateful for these words. I look at myself and I see so many areas that are under-developed, wounded, broken, bruised and missing. I know that many of you do the same. We always notice flaws, gaps and changes needing made within ourselves. Often we find ourselves incapable of seeing anything more than these less than appealing characteristics. And I think it’s ok to struggle to see areas where we shine at times but with the new year coming I would like to encourage us all to take a deeper look. Starting asking hard questions like, “What do others see in me?”, “What/who am I that I’m not able to easily recognize yet?”. And if we are truly brave, maybe we reach out to those close to us, explain our blindness and ask for help to see the truth. Who you see yourself as is only a piece of who you truly are. Open your heart to see more, accept the words of others as truth and remember that we are a puzzle that is always growing and transforming. Don’t underestimate yourself simply because you have blinders on.

We are an unfinished puzzle. Don’t accept that you are complete, not now, not ever. Growth is art.

Sarah Deats

Sarah Deats is the Hope Inc. Stories Inspiration Engineer. Her goals are to make a connection with everyone that she can while building community, spreading hope, and sparking change. She believes that while life may not be easy, it is never lived alone.