Honestly…

If you were to tell the woman in this photo about the kind of year 2024 would turn out to be, she would likely laugh in disbelief and then cry out of both joy and sadness, but ultimately laugh again. It’s been one of the most transformative years of my life thus far, and it is nowhere near its conclusion. As I gaze at her, I can't help but marvel at all the incredible growth and the inner strength that radiates from her every day.

This journey of transformation doesn't get discussed very often. Grief often manifests in various forms of lack—lack of motivation, lack of productivity, lack of hope, and lack of self-love. These are the vital elements that one works diligently to reclaim and rebuild somehow. I recognize that the next few months ahead will be more challenging for me than anything I have ever encountered in my life. However, I am consciously choosing to step into them filled with love, kindness, and the decision to let go of all feelings of lack.

There will be no more moments spent feeling unworthy or experiencing a loss of self-respect. I fully acknowledge that I am a beautiful person, and I cannot change who I am simply because others fail to see my worth. I have no doubts in my mind about this. What I can change, and what I will focus on, is how I react to my circumstances and how I move forward. So, I will embrace that challenge. I’m ready.