Do you believe in new beginnings?

  Do you believe in starting over, or letting go of your past to have a better future?  I didn't until I finally had enough of negative things in my life. Many things influenced my decision to change my life around.

   One was how I looked at myself.  If you do not love yourself no one else will.  I really couldn't remember who I was, sure I am a mother to my children, and a sister to my siblings, and a daughter to my mother, but somewhere along the way I forgot me.  I was married for over ten years and went through a nasty divorce (thankfully I can say I was never malicious or nasty during the whole ordeal even when my ex-husband tried to get to me) and learned you have to take one day at a time.  No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes.  I believe as long as you learn from those mistakes then you are better for it.  I also learned NO ONE has the right to judge someone else.  I had a friend that would always say "Do not throw stones at glass houses."  That is so true, because who is to say you would do or react the same if you were in their shoes, or how you would feel.  Everyone is different, and that's ok.  After I started liking me for who I am, other things started falling into place.

  I went back to school.  I have to say it wasn't easy, and I was scared out of my mind.  I had graduated over thirteen years ago, but it was time I did something for myself and set an example for my children.  I can proudly say I graduated with my AA degree in Criminal Science with all A's and one B.  I am looking to starting school again to get my bachelor's degree. 

 Removing negative people and things in your life can make a big impact on one's life too.  I stop talking to several of my so called friends that loved drama.  I also removed myself from those that brought me down.  Anytime my name was brought up negatively I stopped worrying about it, and learned to ignore it.  I will be the first to admit I have messed up in the past and I am no where near perfect.  I do not try to pretend to be.  I just started learning to improve myself and my life. Once you go through something major (for me was my nasty divorce) you find out who your family and friends are.  Who is truly there for you, and I lost a lot of people along the way but gained even more respect for those who stood by my side without hesitation, or judgement.   


 One major thing that I needed to work on was religion.  Religion has never been a major influence in my life, even after my father passed away from cancer (I have to be honest, I wasn't on speaking terms with God for a good while after my dad passed) but I realized things happen for a reason.  Now don't get me wrong I believed in God but it wasn't a part of my life....till now.  I started going back to church.  I am glad I did.  Now just because you go to church doesn't mean all your problems will go away but it does make you feel better.  I feel like I can handle things better.  I now pray for those I care about, and those I know that struggle, and even those that are not my favorite people, I mean what does it hurt.  Sometimes we all need a little relief or to know someone is thinking of them.

 After all I have learned and continue to learn each day has helped me find a new me, a better me.  I like who I am today.  I know I will always have challenges in my life but I know I can face them.  With everything so positive going in my life I managed to find a wonderful guy.  He loves me for me, and loves my children as if they were his own.  I am lucky to have him.  Each day I thank God for those in my life, and for having another day on earth.  You have to be thankful for all you have because tomorrow isn't guaranteed.  So try and forgive those who have done you wrong, and be the bigger person wish them well. Live your life to the fullest it's the only one you have.