Everything Will Be Okay.

I had another post scheduled for today, but I had to reschedule that because I felt this was more important and it had been on my mind a lot lately. As many of you know, I started school on Monday, and already there has been a lot of stress and chaos placed on me lately. There was already so much on my plate before school - soccer, volleyball, band, blogging, trying to get ready for school - and now with only three days into school there is already a million other things I have to do. I have to wake up early so I can spend seven hours at school, come home to do homework, go to whatever sports practice I have, practice my clarinet, eat dinner - you get the idea. All while balancing a million other things such as blogging, spending time with friends and family - and setting aside time just to relax and do nothing (time I so rarely get in the school year). Over the summer I completely forgot the chaos that was school, and right now I am so stressed and there are times when I think I might explode with worry if I didn't have the one thing I can turn to that lets me know everything will be okay: Jeremiah 29:11.

***Not my picture***

I am a worrier. I always worry about what if this happens, this could go wrong, how will I do this. However, lately when my mind starts to go into overload, I take a deep breath and remember that whatever is happening is just part of God's plan for me. This has really helped me not freak out over every little thing and honestly, I don't know what I would do without it.

I know what you're thinking. Okay. Great. So what? Why are you writing about this? I'm writing about this not only because writing also helps me destress, but because I want this post to serve as a reminder for you. EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY. Whatever is happening is meant to happen and it will all work itself out. Whatever seems so big and terrifying to you now will be something that you look back on and say, "Oh. That ended up being fine. I can't believe I made such a big deal about it." And I promise you, you will feel this way. Really. It may not have been the smoothest, most pleasant event in the world, but it will all be okay. Sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and look at things from a different angle. Remind yourself that everything happens for a reason.

And yes, it really works. Recently I was at a big fashion-show-type event with a lot of people and I was mentally freaking out. I was underdressed, arrived late, and someone had asked me if I wanted to be their hair model when they demonstrated a Back to School look. I said yes. I don't know why I said yes. I am very quiet and reserved, and I hate being on stage by myself. If it's with a group of people, I'm fine, but when I'm the center of attention I go into panic mode. It was almost my turn to go onstage and I was about to run away and go hide in the bathroom (actually, no. I wouldn't have done that but I had briefly considered it.) when I remembered my Bible verse. " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.' " It really helped me calm down, and when I walked on stage, I smiled and relaxed, and you know what? It was actually kind of fun. When I sat back down, everyone told me how they loved my hair, and I thought, why did I make such a big deal over this? It was fine.

The same thing happened on the first day of school, too. Because I wasn't doing athletics, there were a lot of people I knew who I didn't have any classes with. I have a couple friends who I have one class with each, but aside from that, I'm all alone. I still knew plenty of people in my class though, and I am really excited to get to know them better and maybe even become good friends with them. I had no reason to worry, because I didn't oversleep either, one of my biggest fears. When I switched my schedule yesterday, I was afraid that I would be behind, but it was only the third day today and my new science class was still getting started. So far school has been great, and I honestly don't know why I was so stressed.

I chose to put this post out here today for a reason. Many of you are starting school this week next week, or last week, and you'll be very busy. Summer is for relaxing, and the school year is 100% go, go, go. There are very many things to worry about, many that are out of your control. Just take a moment or a few to unwind, and remember why I wrote this. Remember that everything will be okay.

The point of this story is, don't freak out. Whether you are a Christian or not, whether you believe in God or you don't, it will all be okay. If you take one thing away from this post, I want it to be these words right here: Everything will work itself out. Whatever is happening to you is happening for a reason, whether you know what it is or not. In five years, or ten, or twenty, it won't matter to you like it does right now. You'll only look back and remember the good parts, so make each moment count and forget your stress for a second. Do yoga. Spend a day in bed. Get an extra hour of sleep. Just remember: Whatever happens to you will happen whether you worry or not, so why worry about something that you have no control over? Let go, and have fun. Live your life the way you're meant to.

If that's too long for you to remember, then just remember this one verse right here: " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.' " Memorize it. Put it in your heart and never take it out. Carry it with you wherever you go. But most important, don't just know it. Live it. Use it. Live a life designed around that one verse. I promise you, it will change your life in ways you can't even imagine.

Just always remember - everything will be okay.