Step by step I walk into the light to find my way through the valley because soon I will have another mountain to climb. The desire to turn my head and reflect on the steps I have made is so strong that I can’t seem to resist. I feel as though I’m being tempted by the sweetest taste of sugar or the most inviting smell of roses, all that I know, is I do have to stop and look back, even if it’s just for a moment.
What a journey 2007 has been and as I reflect I see stepping stones going back to a faraway distance, each one signifying a piece of my life. I can see so many stones in various shapes and sizes. I squint to see the brightly colored stones in the shape of hearts (family, clients, friends and team members). Books (education and knowledge) and others in the shape of blooming flowers (trials & growth).
When I look back at the top of the mountain I’m reminded of all the goodness that I was feeling at the time and how I wanted so badly to have the power to jump over to the next mountain top without making my way down the hill to later venture through the valley. It seemed so much easier that way. But I was reminded that you have to find joy in the journey going up and down the mountains, otherwise you will miss out on so many experiences along the way.
How true that is. Although that journey didn’t come with simplicity, it came with hope, desire, drive and passion. Without those 4 things it would have been so easy to give up. Not me, I pushed hard and was certain not a single soul or an army of enemies could stop me in my tracks.
Then, as I approached the valley, my body tired, my soul was exhausted and my heart was aching. Rather than trudging through the valley with hope, desire, drive and passion my feet became stuck in the thickest mud and muck I could ever imagine coming across. My mind was telling me that I needed to keep moving, but my heart was telling me that this was an opportune time to create for myself some clarity for the upcoming year.
For 2 weeks there I was, completely stuck, wondering how I was going to make my next step in this world. The complexity of it all tired me out and forced me to stop and seek His help because for that moment I was left with
Only Hope . Many sleepless nights and many tears that found their way to a puddle to soften the mud that surrounded my feet. With my prayers and my plea to God, I would soon find the answers I needed to be strong and pull my feet out of the mud and trudge forward with hope, desire, drive and passion.
Today, I choose to lift my head up high and stand with courage and here I am, making my next few steps to complete this journey through 2007. As I approach the base of the mountain I can so loudly hear His words “I Dare You to Move ” and I will gladly move into 2008 with a thousand stepping stones to help lead the way. With the words of one of my very dear friends Alecia Barnes - Realtor® Albany Oregon Albany & Brownsville OR Real Estate , "2008 Is Gonna Be Great!"
The words to the 2 songs I attached ring so true in my mind with that little trial I was going through. I often times think God puts the mud in our path so that we will stop, listen and pay attention to the things that really matter most. For me, I needed to have more time with my family and to focus on my health. When you come across the "mud and muck" in your life, just remember, He's waiting and listening and providing many more stepping stones for you to lay down in your life's journey.
Thank you so much to each of you for helping me to lay some beautiful stones in my path. I wish for each and every one of you to have a New Year filled with all the greatness life has to offer and many, many days filled with HOPE, DESIRE, DRIVE AND PASSION in everything you do.
Only Hope (Switchfoot)
There's a song that's inside of my soul.
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold.
But you sing to me over and over and over again.
So, I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.
Sing to me the song of the stars.
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again.
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again.
So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now, you're my only hope.
I give you my destiny.
I'm giving you all of me.
I want your symphony, singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs, I'm giving it back.
So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I pray, to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.
Dare You To Move (Switchfoot)
Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
Everybody's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next?
What happens next?
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before
Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
The tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened
Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
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Julie Neerings, GRI- Heart of Utah Real Estate Copyright © 2008- If you are considering buying, selling, military relocations to Hill AFB or relocating to Utah, you deserve local expertise and advice to be provided by a professional in real estate. Julie Neerings is a Utah REALTOR® providing full time, professional real estate services to buyers and sellers in the cities of Layton, Bountiful, Woods Cross, West Valley, West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman and all surrounding cities.
Julie Neerings~Lifting Hearts ♥ Building Dreams~Utah REALTOR® 
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JULIE: WOW! When you are inspired...you are inspired!!! This is wonderful...a beautiful example of why we need one another to encourage us and help us through the difficult times.
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be
What powerful words! What it really comes down to is whether we are willing to take the step...to move ourselves...to BECOME.
I'm so glad that you are my friend and my sister. I love you!!!