Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like and learn to find joy in the story you are living.

The picture I had for my life took a drastic turn when I was faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Every step I have made since then has taken me on unexpected twists and turns. Grief played a part in every aspect of my life. I never thought I would be a pregnant teenager, a birth mother in my twenties, and a mother of three by my thirties. Life has a way of catching up to us and throwing things in our path to help us grow. I had to let go of the life I have envisioned and find joy in my unexpected journey.

Many couples go through years of infertility before turning to adoption. They jump into unfamiliar territory in hopes of growing their family. I can only imagine the fear and questions that arise when a couple is rerouted on their path to parenthood. The desire to parent is what drives them to step out of their comfort zone. My desire to give my baby more than what I could provide at that time is what silenced my fears.

Birth parents and adoptive couples letting go of what they thought their lives would be and opening space for what is to come is a beautiful surrender. I have always marveled at the give and take of adoption. The desire of one, answered by the other. When honesty, trust, and unconditional love are welcomed and maintained, adoption can be an unexpected joyful path for all involved.

Finding joy in your journey is a key component to creating abundance, but seeing the joy is not always easy to do. Letting go of the story you thought you would have requires self-awareness. It took me years to find the joy in my journey, and I am grateful for the growth and lessons I have learned. Starting a gratitude journal is a great way to direct your energy to what you have, rather than focusing on what is missing. Repeating positive affirmations that apply to what you desire, along with your personal growth, can also aid in bringing more joy into your life.

I am grateful to be a part of the adoption community, a community I knew nothing about eighteen years ago, and now I call it home. Find joy in your journey and let go of what was to allow space for that which is greater.