2017 for me was a year of challenge, there was a lot of physical, emotion and mental changes that this year brought. Who I was at the beginning of this year and who I am now are two completely different people. I’ve been through certain situations that will stay with me forever. My eyes have been opened to things I never even thought possible. I have crossed paths and burned bridges that I realized were only keeping me behind. I learned tough lessons — the hard way (I mean, is there an easy way to learn a tough lesson?). I’m glad and grateful to God for all the trials faced and overcome because I have learned new things about myself and found new strengths within me. If you’d asked me earlier I’d have said the devil tried me this year. However, I refuse to give him the credit for the person I have become. The things that happened to me are things that needed to happen to me and things that are shaping me into the woman I will be tomorrow.
It has been a year of realization. Self-realization and complete realization in general. So many things have been put into perspective, things I noticed but never understood to things I didn’t even know were present. I have come to terms with things and people I thought I could not let go of but here I am alive and well. The only thing I can thank for that is the grace of God. At so many points during this year I didn’t think I would make it through, I was feeling defeated but looking back now I can see all those things happened for the greater good.
I admit that I didn’t enter the year in the best way, I wasn’t with God and I wasn’t in an environment that was praising to Him. It definitely wasn’t a way to start the year and from that my entire year took its shape. Those first hours of 2017 simply put were a mess and that is pretty much how the rest of the year panned out. I have learned from my mistakes and by His grace I will be entering the new year in His presence, as it should be. Ever since I was a kid that was how it was and my life was always on track for the coming year. I'd like to thank my wonderful mother for that. Yes, some can argue that younger me and current me don’t have the same problems and face the same situations but at the end of the day we both have the same solution - Jesus Christ.
So thank you 2017, for teaching me lessons. Thank you for opening my eyes. Thank you for letting me know as low as you reach you can always find your way back up. Thank you for showing me there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for helping me realize that once you reach rock bottom the only way is up. Most importantly, thank you for shaping me into the woman I am today.
With this I bid 2017 adieu. I pray for more happiness, love, blessings and joy to each and every one of you. Please remember, your past does not define you, whatever happened to you in 2017 does not in anyway dictate how your next year will be. You have the power to be whoever you want and achieve whatever it is you wish. So here’s to an amazing 2018!
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
-Isaiah 43:18
