Life Is... A Moment, A Lesson, and a Blessing in Disguise

My pastor once said something that stuck with me in a way most things do not. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t long. But it echoed in my mind, especially in the quiet moments when life felt uncertain.

He said, “Life is nothing but a vapor.”

At the time, it felt like one of those phrases that sound deep but take a while to really sink in. I nodded when I heard it, filed it in the back of my mind, and moved on with my day. But then 2020 happened. And everything changed.

A Shift We Didn’t See Coming

Since the start of 2020, life, as we knew it, transformed in ways we never imagined. The world shifted. Our daily routines came to a screeching halt. We had no idea that hugging a friend, sitting in a classroom, or going to a movie would suddenly feel like luxury.

For many of us, the isolation, anxiety, and loss felt heavy. We struggled to adjust. The silence in the world was loud. Some days it felt unbearable. But with that stillness came something else.

It brought us face to face with ourselves.

Depending on how you choose to look at it, this shift was both a loss and a gift. Bad because we lost access to so much we were used to. But good because, for the first time in a long time, we were given space to pause.

Acceptance... and Growth

Some people called it a challenge. I call it acceptance. I call it growth.

Before all of this, our lives were packed. We were always going somewhere. Always doing something. Always chasing time. In the process, we forgot how to just be.

When the world paused, we were forced to sit with ourselves and the people closest to us. In many homes, that meant finally spending meaningful time with family members who were previously just passing ships in the night. We slept under the same roof but rarely connected. Until suddenly, we had no choice but to slow down.

And in that quiet? Growth began to take root.

The Gift of Stillness

In the silence of lockdowns and canceled plans, we discovered new things. We started reading again. We explored hobbies we didn’t even know we liked. Some of us turned to writing, painting, baking, praying, or creating in ways we never had before.

We began to reflect more deeply, to think about the bigger picture. We realized that the best things in life really are free. Health. Peace. Kindness. Time.

This was not just a shift in routine, it was a spiritual awakening. It reminded us that faith matters. Family matters. Being present matters. And no, this season wasn’t perfect or pretty, but it was honest. It was revealing. It reminded us that even in the middle of difficulty, blessings can be found.

Life’s Vapor Moments

We often live like life is endless. Like we have all the time in the world. But we don’t. That is why my pastor’s words feel more real now than ever. “Life is nothing but a vapor.”

One moment someone is here, and the next, they are not. One day you are laughing with a loved one, and the next, their phone is silent. These moments are reminders to appreciate what you have while you have it. Not just the people in your life, but the time you’ve been given.

That is why we must be intentional about how we spend our days. Not rushing through them, but being present in them. Not waiting for “someday” to enjoy our lives, but learning to enjoy the now.

Lessons From the Hard Days

Hard times teach us what ease cannot. When we struggle, we build resilience. When we cry, we learn to appreciate joy more. When we lose, we begin to value what remains.

During this time, I learned that my glass is half full. I may not have all the answers. I may not know what’s coming next. But I know that faith is real, that gratitude is powerful, and that perspective can change everything.

So many young girls grew up quickly during this season. They had to adjust to virtual classrooms, missed celebrations, and the loss of routine. And while that is difficult, it also created an opportunity to teach them what really matters.

That is why I believe in confidence-building activities for tweens now more than ever. Because when the world shakes, we need tools that remind us of who we are. We need rituals, support systems, and positive influences that center us.

Faith Over Fear

If there’s one thing this chapter of life has shown me, it is that fear is loud, but faith is louder. We do not have control over everything. In fact, we have control over very little. But what we do have is a choice. A choice to believe in something greater than ourselves.

For me, that belief is rooted in God. It is knowing that even when life feels upside down, there is a plan. Even when things feel unfair, there is still purpose. And even when we do not understand, we can trust.

Faith is not about ignoring pain. It is about holding onto peace while we walk through it.

Little Joys Matter Most

Another thing I discovered during this time is that small joys are just as important as big wins. A quiet morning. A handwritten note. A warm meal. A shared laugh.

These are the things that carry us through. That is why thoughtfully curated things like monthly self-care boxes for girls became more than just “fun.” They became a reminder that care is still possible, even in hard seasons. They helped young girls feel seen, even when the world felt overwhelming.

These boxes weren’t about products. They were about presence. They were about connection. They were about encouragement, which is something we all need, no matter our age.

What Quarantine Taught Me About Relationships

Living in close quarters for extended periods revealed a lot about our relationships. It showed us what was strong, and also what needed healing. It showed us that love takes work, that communication matters, and that forgiveness is often necessary.

We learned to be more patient with each other. We learned to say “I love you” more. We learned that togetherness is a gift, not a guarantee.

If you were lucky enough to spend this time with people who care about you, cherish that. Use this as an opportunity to deepen those connections. Ask better questions. Listen more. Show up for each other.

Gratitude in Every Season

I have learned to be thankful in all things. Not just the good, but the growth. Not just the sunshine, but also the rain. Because both are needed.

The world may have changed, but my gratitude has grown. I am thankful for the days that feel boring, because boredom means peace. I am thankful for the days that feel quiet, because quiet means time to think. I am thankful for the time I still have, because not everyone gets that.

This kind of mindset is something I hope more girls can learn early. That is why giving them teen girl empowerment gifts that encourage reflection and self-worth is more than just thoughtful, it’s transformative.

A Vapor, But Also a Victory

Yes, life is a vapor. But it is also a victory. Every breath you take is proof that you are still here. That you still have time. That you still have purpose.

The people we’ve lost remind us to live better. The mistakes we’ve made remind us to grow. The quiet moments remind us that we are never alone, not really. Because we are all figuring this out together.

So, let’s stop waiting for life to be perfect. Let’s stop holding our breath for some ideal moment in the future. Let’s live now. Love now. Laugh now.

Let’s agree to be gratefulLet’s agree to be gladLet’s agree to rejoice in today

Final Thoughts for the Girls Still Growing Through It

If you are a young girl reading this, I want you to know that you are doing better than you think. This season may have stretched you. It may have challenged you. But it also revealed something powerful in you.

It showed that you can adapt

That you can growThat you can lead

That you can thrive

You don’t have to be perfect. Just present. You don’t have to have all the answers. Just keep asking the right questions. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to keep moving forward.

Because even in uncertain times, you are capable of becoming everything you were created to be.

And that is a beautiful, powerful thing. #HeyDollstrong