Rather than try and re-cap everything that's kept me from writing and listing events to fill that gap, we will just start fresh in this moment and let things organically flow...no excuses , no commitments, just good intentions and a desire to leave my kids with a knowing of what their mom was thinking and feeling in moments throughout the years...
Even in times of challenge, struggle, darkness and desperation, there is ALWAYS blessing, light, and strength to be found. And I certainly learned that over the years, especially in the past few years. No one is immune to struggle, trauma, sadness, and disappointment, and my challenges are not more difficult or worse than anyone else's. But I hope I can share with my children and others, the lessons I've learned from my own challenges, and wisdom I gained from the amazing people who influenced me.
Just a few I'm thinking about today (I don't claim to have invented any of these, but they have influenced me throughout the years)...
- Everyone deserves unconditional love. Not just when things are going well, when they are "behaving", making you happy, and during good times. Unconditional love is most important when we make mistakes, when everyone else turns their backs, when things are dark, and falling apart. People who change their lives for the better and don't give up, have a chance because they were loved unconditionally by someone.
- Everyone deserves a chance to be better and do better. This goes hand in hand with unconditional love. When someone recognizes their shortcomings, asks for forgiveness, wants to do better, and actually takes action to improve, they should be supported--not condemned. When someone believes in them, they believe in themselves, and will have the strength to continue their trajectory to be better.
- Don't allow the past to dictate your present and future. Learn from the past, but don't live in the past. Re-living mistakes, re-playing negative experiences, returning to negative feelings of the past will only keep you prisoner in the past. It will rob you of your present and keep you from a bright future. Look at past experiences as giving you strength and wisdom. Let go of the negativity. Take control of your thoughts and feelings, and elevate yourself, liberate yourself and empower yourself to live a happy life in the present, building a positive path for your future.
Love you...Mom.
