I love this quote

This is one of my favorite quotes. I write it on my kids art easel all the time, but that only lasts until someone wants to paint. I could not find a printable that I like of this quote anywhere....so I decided to make my own. About 10 years ago my first child was born. I was over the moon excited. I loved being a new Mother and I thought my new baby girl was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I soon discovered though that I was getting anxiety and my world kind of came crashing down around me. I really did not understand mental health issues, and I really thought that those types of health propblems were reserved for crazy people. I was really dissapopinted in myself for struglling with this and I became really hard on myself. As time went on I discovered that so many others were also struggling with anxiety or depression, and it felt so good to know that I was not alone. Actually, some of the strongest and most amazing woman that I knew, shared with me that they were also dealing with mental health challenges. These amazing ladies were pure hope for me. I saw how wonderful they were and what happy lives they lived. I decided that if they could do it, so could I.Over the last 10 years I have grown by leaps and bounds. I knew that I had great things to do, and I knew that this challenge was not going to define me or limit what I was capable of. I really came to know that having anxiety did not mean I was damaged or that I was any less of a person. Going through hard things was actually making me better and stronger. I started to realize that doing  hard things was helping to develop my character. I started to rejoice in the fact that I could endure something hard, and come out the better for it. I really understand now that I can do hard things!!! I have never had anxiety as bad as I did the first time that I was going through it. It definetly creeps up in my life though and I need to always make sure I am keeping an eye on it. I actually feel better then I ever have and I feel like I have really fought a good fight and pushed through the hard stuff, as far as anxiety is concerened. I do know that so many have these types of struggles and I am very pasionate about wanting them to know that they are not alone, that they are wonderful and that they can live a great life. I have been working on a book over the last few years that shares my expereince with anxiety. This last year I felt that it would be so much more beneficial to have friends of mine share their stories as well. This way the reader has more stories to relate to and also may feel more of a connection with one story then another. Not only will it help those going through these trials, but it will also help someone who knows someone going through them. Even if you do not fall in those categories, it is a great book full of strong woman who have faced hard trials and have become stronger because of them.The book in now in the editing process and should be done this year. I have a favor to ask of you in exchange for the free printable. If you could leave a comment telling my if this type of book is something that would interest you, or if you know someone who could use a book like this. Also, my editor and I are going to be starting a new blog in the next month that will be about the challenges we face with mental health issues and we will be looking for people who would like to share their stories or write a peice on certain topics that we will be looking at that month. If you are interested in writing something for us, include your email address in your comment. Thank you so much! Have a great day!