90%

I value wise counsel. Something in the way I am wired causes me to stay inside my head. I muddle and roll thoughts around like a rock tumbler, fleshing out ideas, desires, and revelations. The rabbit trails within my thoughts are endless and I have many a time been advised to think less and just be. I think it's what makes me a good writer.

A better portion of my "Christian" life has been spent striving toward a destination. Some part of me had bought into the distraction that life and success are a destination. I don't know where I was trying to get to, but I was going! Then a few years ago I embarked on an unbeknownst journey taking me to the destination I was always seeking. I learned it didn't matter what I did or how I planned it out, I just had to be me and the destination I vainly sought after was simply myself.

In the process of learning to release and walk confidently in who I am, I am working out certain areas, one being who I am as a woman in relation to men. I am really great at determining who I am not going to be; the learning who I am going to be is more of a challenge. In the search for the right thought process I called one of my great girlfriends yesterday on my lunch break. She has been married for many years, and I wanted to know what her identity looked like in an area in relation to her husband.

We had the most encouraging talk. We shared deep parts of us that we are working on, and now it's as if someone else is carrying the load with us. I value a friendship where it's easy, when telling the hardest, most challenging parts of our lives is opened up and freedom is released in the comfort of an open forum to share. My friendship with her is a safe zone. Everything can be laid bare, and we link arms walking on together facing it head on!

John Burns, a preacher from Canada, said only 10% of your destiny is locked within yourself; the other 90% is discovered in the relationships of your life. Ninety percent! Each person in my life who believes in my dreams, desires to see me come into all that I am made to be, and lets me cheer them on shapes my destiny and creates my character. Destiny is one thing, but character is what keeps you there when it's hard and you want to quit. Character is most greatly achieved by having the people, like my girlfriend, who will do wild and crazy things to push you to be better.

My 90% is true. The people in my life are shaping different areas as I go. I can't figure it all out on my own. They help me quiet my head and trust. They focus me on the important parts and distract me from the deeper parts to remind me to laugh and not worry about it all!