Where are We Supposed to Stand?

Okay, so we see this everyday in our world. It's a little bit overbearing at times, but it seems as if the people around us expect things, they expect us to do or only follow one thing. Sometimes it can be good, and other times not so much. Either way, one thing I have learned is that there is no one place for me to stand. For example, recently I had to make a very hard choice, I had to decide if I wanted to stay in Idaho, find a home in Arizona, or follow my parents to Kansas. What the heck?! It wasn't easy because I had all of these people that I loved and wanted to please, and ultimately spend my time with!

What would you do!? It was so hard, I felt like by making one choice, it would make the other people feel like I didn't love them as much as the others. As I made my choice though, I realized that regardless of where I was, I would be with all of them! By choosing one place to live, I wasn't showing the others that I wasn't there for them, because I get to stand by them even if it's a few states away.

That's only one of the things I've learned about my place. Another thing I've learned is the expectation on beliefs. Our world is so unbelievably close minded. If you are against abortion then you probably hate gays, and love terrorists. On the other side if you're for abortion then you probably smoke pot and hate God, oh and own a Prius. Just putting that in my blog makes my skin crawl. Not only because I said it, but because it's truly how people view others. Well guess what? Just because I believe on thing does not mean that I am closed minded and have the same view on everything else. For instance, I happen to think abortion should be against the law aside from rape, incest, or health of the mother. I also happen to be against the death sentence. I know, I literally just blew your mind. How dare I believe two things that happen to be supported by opposing parties. It's because I have the freedom to make those choices myself. Regardless of what other people think I should believe, or regardless of where I stand, I can stand where I want, and as many places as I want. There is no limit to the possibilities. 

The last thing that has really hit me on finding where I stand, is the timing in my life. I am at this age, this very weird uncomfortable strange age. I've found myself in a divided world. Some people say, stay single, party, graduate from college, then get a career. Some people say find a husband, have some kids, and stay at home and enjoy every moment with them. Then some people tell me to do ALL of the above! I am barely nineteen years old. Every one of these things haunt my every nightmare, and at the same time they haunt me as I walk around and communicate with those around me. But here's what I've learned: there is not one path. There is not one way. There is not one choice. My life is unique to me. Not to what someone else did when they were my age, not to what others think I should be doing. But ultimately my life is between me and my Father in Heaven. He has mapped out so many places for me to go, and things for me to do. As I go through this life doing the simple things he has asked me to do, I will be able to stand in my places and do the AMAZING things he has in store for me. 

So here is my point: you don't have to do something because everyone wants you to do it, or because everyone else thinks its right. You should do everything based on what you think is right! Based on what you want to be and what you think will be the most helpful to you, and even by what you think will help you help others! Every life is different, every person is unique, everyone has a different reason to be happy. Let's be okay with that. Let's stop telling others where they should stand, and worry about yourself, and only encourage people to be good. Stop trying to force good, because in the end that's not good! Take from things what you will,  but don't let others decide your life.