Cheers to the path behind, the current road and the journey

Today I celebrate ...life, strength and the blessings I have experienced. It has been a long year; some days were darker than others. There were times when I second guessed myself, the decision(s) I had made, the step(s) I had taken. There were times I felt like I was in a washing machine permanently stuck on the spin cycle. I held myself accountable for many things....even those things over which I had no control or should have been the responsibility of others.

I forgave others, offered a helping hand where possible, pushed myself to be someone if I am being honest, was not a true representation of who I am. I was a shell, stuck in a bubble designed by others. Throughout this time I have come to realise how harsh I have been with 'self'.

And I finally proclaimed that I had to do some serious 'self-love', make time for me, treasure me, hold myself up to a better standard, trust the decisions I make and every step I take. I will trust the path I am on, the journey I am undertaking. I will stop 'beating' on self, 'chastising' ...I don't have all, not even most of the answers. What I do know is that I have faith, plus a wonderful support group. Steve Harvey says sometimes you just gotta 'jump', even when you are not sure the parachute will open.

So today, in honour of a special anniversary that only I and a few dear to me would truly understand; in honour of fighting to be stronger and fighting to love myself; in honour of pushing forward even when I wanted to stop and give up; in honour of moving ahead even when I wanted to go backward; in honour of walking into the light, despite not seeing the opening at the tunnel for a very long time; in honour of finally learning to truly love and treasure myself more....

I say cheers, D! We did it!