Lesson learned: Don't avoid endings

I was clearing off my desk the other day as I was cleaning up my classroom for the summer and I found this note tucked under a stack of papers. (The second time she uses the word "won't" she actually means "want.")

Sometimes I feel just like Baylee and I want to stay in "first grade" for another year. I don't like endings. Or beginnings, for that matter. I like the happy middle where it's comfortable and familiar. "Second grade" means a new teacher, a new classroom, new classmates, new rules, harder math, bigger words, and higher expectations. I'd rather stay where I know exactly what is expected of me and where I feel successful and confident.

But I'm starting to realize, at the ripe old age of 26, that endings are actually a good thing. Endings mean that beginnings are around the corner. Endings encourage me to change and experience new things. Endings force me to step out of my comfort zone and discover that I am capable of so much more than I realized. Endings make me rely on the strength of the Savior and less on my own strength.

Are there endings/beginnings that you're avoiding so that you can stay in "first grade" for a bit longer? Are you avoiding quitting your job and applying for a better job because it might be too much of a challenge? Or are you avoiding beginning a relationship because you don't like feeling vulnerable and it's less complicated to be single? Or perhaps are you putting off asking for help because that means that you'll have to actually start making changes in your life? Are you nervous to pray and ask Heavenly Father if He is pleased with what you're doing with your life because you're afraid that He might ask you to do something hard or uncomfortable?

Endings and beginnings are hard. I really really really really don't like them. But I like to remind myself that hard isn't bad. I can do hard things. In fact, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

Don't stay in first grade for too long. It's very likely that you'll actually like second grade a lot better.