The year is wrapping up and I think I speak for a lot of you when I say, oh boy, what a year it has been. For me, it was filled with a lot of change, growth, unexpected adventures, hard conversations, many hours of reflection, and lots of time spent outside of my comfort zone – all which I welcomed with open arms. There is nothing wrong with making these common New Year’s resolutions. The good news is that each year is an opportunity for a fresh start. But then so is each week. Every Sunday is the first day of the week – a new beginning. Actually, every day is an opportunity for a new beginning.

In thinking about the message that I wanted to end the year on, I wanted it to be positive, honest, forward, and hopefully change your perspective. So I leave you with this: Choose your hard.

What does that even mean? Every day we are faced with a lot of choices and opportunities. Some of them seem so unfathomably hard to explore that we may shy away entirely. I can’t take that spin class because I’m so out of shape that it’ll be too hard. I can’t have that tough conversation because I’m not sure how it’ll end. I can’t start my own business because I don’t even know where to start.

Some of us are filled with I can’t and never believe in ourselves that we can do every and anything we put our mind to do. Does any of that sound familiar? If so, I want you to consider the other side of what seems hard…

I can’t have that tough conversation because I’m not sure how it’ll end.

Guys, listen, I get it. I sometimes feel like my body turns warm and breaks out in hives the moment I even *think* about having a tough conversation. Or, I completely lose my appetite and can’t sleep the night before a big talk. And for whatever reason, this year was full of a lot of them. Between friends, family, relationships, work, the election — you name it, I had it. Last January, I started the year off with the post Every moment is a fresh beginning. and have kept that mantra at the top of mind to push me when I’m nervous or hesitant to have tough conversations. It has helped, but for me, it mostly comes down to this: I can’t stand living life knowing that I didn’t ask, or I didn’t express myself. That is a much harder pill to swallow than the short-term feeling of nervousness. Plus, asking big and thinking big allows me to live my truth.

I can’t start my own business because I don’t even know where to start.

This one has come up quite a bit in my circle. Well-connected, intelligent women who are doing great work and could be doing exponentially better both personally and financially. But, because this is a completely foreign world for them, they’re apprehensive to exploring the idea and potentially crushing it as a boss lady. I ask, what’s harder — working for the man and being limited in terms of personal and financial growth or exploring your true potential? Do your research, round up your mentors and ask around. Choose the hard that will work for you not against you.

There are countless more examples, but the point is, think about which hard you’re comfortable living with. As I type this, I’m actually thinking about all the things I did and accomplished this year and I am very proud. I’ve been out of my routine for a bit due to traveling to Canada for the holiday season. But the main thing I am proud about this year is getting Baptized. Baptism is a way to say to the world, I can’t be holy on my own. I’m a sinner and I can’t stop sinning, but because of God’s grace, I can turn from sin. Baptism is a picture of the way only God can make us pure and whole.

If I could sum this piece up in one sentence it’s this: stop making excuses that are stopping you from great things. Because even if your spin class is hard, even if your friends aren’t receptive to the tough conversation, and even if your business fails – you tried and stepped outside of your comfort zone, which makes you that much more equipped and prepared to try again. As an Introvert, I know I have to work extra hard to get out of my comfort zone. But I am stepping into the new year with a no holds bar kind of attitude.

I hope this resonates with you. As you wrap up 2017 and move into a brand new year (I love new), think about everything you have control over.