-Guest Post- Hey Y'all It's Lauren!

In celebration of my 500th blog entry, I give you a guest post from Lauren @ Sweet Southern Sophistication...
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“During life you will either be going into a storm, in a storm or coming out of a storm so be happy no matter what is going on and enjoy the relief when the storm is over, and stay happy before, during and after the storm.”

I’m starting off with a powerful quote, but often times we need to be reminded of a better tomorrow and a worse-off past. Everyone has hard times and rough patches, but knowing there is a tomorrow is often what gets me through these times. Knowing that a higher being is watching over me and will be my protector through anything. When Shannon and I decided we were going to switch blogs, I got a little nervous. What do I talk about? This is my first time writing for another blog. I could talk about anything we have in common (which is a lot!) the south, college, pink, pearls, food, fashion, faith…the list is endless. Most of all, I thought about us personally and what we each are going through. Then I thought about our followers and what each of you might be going through as well. Like the quote said, are you going into the storm? In the storm? Coming out of the storm? No matter where you are, the most important thing it to look ahead and be prepared, excited, or ready for the time ahead.

Each of us handles conflict differently. For my family and many of my friends, this is through our belief in God and the strength he provides us. Many of you may not be religious or even spiritual, but believing that there is a higher being watching over us (whatever you may believe that to be) is important. Having the hope and knowledge that someone is watching out for our future and well-being. When I am looking for words of wisdom and the motivation to move on from something, the first place I look is the bible. For those of you that are spiritual, these are the words and directions the Lord gave us to live by. Although these can be hard to follow, as a Christian, it is our goal to follow these with all of our heart. I wanted to make this post about motivation and how to be motivated through hard times, with the strength of the Holy Spirit. I also wanted to give y’all some bible quotes that often help me remember the bigger picture:

I will say of the Lord. He is my refuge and my fortress: In Him will I trust. - Psalm 91:2

Be content with what you have, for God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." - Hebrews 13:5-6

And finally, something that I live by on a daily basis, no matter my position in the storm:

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, and he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. – Psalm 23

Hopefully this post helped to remind you that there is always a better day awaiting you. With the words from the Lord, the hugs from family and the laughs from friends we can get through any obstacle life throws at us.

This is a picture I took on a womens retreat in 2009- breathtaking.