Ah yes, a new year. A new you. Or so they say...

2018 is finally here. I say finally because, well, 2017 felt like it took forever. Anyone else? Just me?

If you've been following this blog, you know some of my story. A year ago, we lost a child to stillbirth. And that event sent my family on a roller coaster of a year.

We had just moved across the country from Colorado to Portland, OR and knew almost no one. At 36 weeks pregnant, our baby dies in the womb. Thankfully, my wife's family lives nearby in Washington state so we weren't completely alone. But we were still lonely.

There are many other things that made 2017 tumultuous. My wife's health took a pretty negative turn. My career and work life has been up and down (including being let go and rehired within the same day!). We've had the smallest income of our entire adult, married lives in the most expensive city we've ever lived in. It's been a "tough year" ...to put it lightly.

Now, I know that pain and discomfort is all relative. What's "bad" for me may be nothing compared to someone else. But, it's real. We feel it. And it hurts. And I want to legitimize what you may have felt this past year, too.

Some of you probably had an awesome year. I'm so pumped for you! Seriously, I am. But last year taught me that life is not all roses, rainbows, and unicorns. Sometimes life punches you directly between the eyes. And while you're laying there with your bleeding head on the pavement, partially unconscious, life keeps moving on. People step over you on their way to a very important task. Some people stop to help, and those are the ones you remember.

But when you're flat on your back, unsure if you ever want to get back up and face the world again, you have a decision to make. I had a decision to make.

We have to decide if it's worth it.

Is it worth it to stick my neck out there and pursue meaningful relationships again?

Is it worth it to get pregnant again with the looming fear of losing another child?

Is it worth it to pursue things that matter to me even if they don't seem to matter to other people?

Is it worth it to sacrifice for my family, to love well, to go out of my way so others feel cared for?

I've decided, and continue to decide, that it's worth it. A meaningful life is made up of meaningful moments that only happen if we're living eyes wide open. We should anticipate and expect to give and to get each and every day. Sure, life will blindside you. But I'm not willing to stay down.

There's an ancient proverb that says,

"Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again..."

I don't want to spend my life on my back looking up at the sky while life keeps moving on because I was too afraid of getting knocked down again. We have more power and ability available to us than we think we do. More often than not, the greatest battle takes place in our minds.

So, what decision (or decisions) will you make for your life in 2018? What are you going to say goodbye to so you can say hello to something greater? Leave a comment below and let me know!