Cheers To Happy Endings

Wrapping up 2021 with a bang and looking forward to starting 2022 with positive intentions, strong goals, and the mission to accomplish all I desire.

Some Goodbyes Are Hard, and Some are a Blessing

Sometimes goodbyes are terribly hard and sad but saying goodbye to 2021 will be the cause for jubilee for me. In fact, the last couple of years have been trying, not only because of Covid but for many reasons. With every obstacle comes the choice to face it with courage or cower down in fear. The good news is I have learned how strong and resilient I am. I have reached a new level of spirituality, not because I wanted to, but because I truly would have crumbled under pressure in those dark hours and times without deep-rooted faith.

I look forward to making this last month very inspiring and strong and going out with a happy ending. That happy ending will make great momentum to inspire me and carry me into the new year on a positive, uplifting note.

2021 Has Taught Me

• I am stronger and more courageous than I thought
• I am more patient than I realized
• I can accomplish anything I set out to do
• My children are my heroes
• It is never too old to start something new and live your dream
• You have to be your own advocate and especially stand up for yourself in the medical world

“If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” ~Paulo Coelho

I am Stronger and More Courageous than I Thought

As we enter this last month of 2021, I will consider it my victory lap. I am eternally grateful to all my fellow writers who have inspired me this past year, taught me so much during my first six months on Medium, and encouraged me to expand upon my writing skills to reach new levels, including writing poetry for the first time. I am grateful for the friendships I have gained and the compassion that so many of you have shown for my daughter as she has undergone so many health setbacks. Finally, I am grateful for my health and wellness. So many days, I sit and sip my coffee in the morning and read articles here on Medium, and I am simply grateful for the life I live.

My Children Are My Heroes

I live a great life, but I had to endure many very difficult hardships and obstacles to get where I am today. Often, I felt utterly alone. I felt no one on earth could possibly relate to what I was going through. Perhaps I had experienced the dark night of the soul in order to be reborn. There were times in my life I did not think I was going to survive. I thought I might have to give up my hopes and dreams, which crushed my soul. And then, quite possibly the most horrific of all, was the thought of losing my children to cancer or another rare disease.

My children have taught me so much. They genuinely push through everything. My daughter has taught me a tremendous amount about silent diseases. Both of them have taught me about facing fear, especially when it comes to being brave about doctor appointments. And they are both so very resilient. They are both my heroes. Unfortunately, my son is following in the footsteps of his sister’s medical mysteries, but he never complains.

You Have to be Your Own Advocate, Especially in the Medical World

On top of all of that, I am facing an ongoing frustration: after a feeding tube surgery for my daughter, a surgeon seemed to have left a 1.8 cm. needle and thread inside of her. We discovered that during a complication of her smart pill test in a Cat Scan. Several X-Rays later showed the metal had not moved. No one wants to clean up another surgeon’s mess. Fun stuff, I say with great sarcasm. Needless to say, she finally has a consultation a couple of days after Christmas. But imagine any mother’s frustration. I understand accidents happen, but why to a sweet young woman who has already endured sooo incredibly much. Why not to the person who is ill-mannered and bad-spirited.

“For what it is worth: It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

It is Never too Late, and You are Never Too Old

Okay, so I do have good things to celebrate because I refuse to let the bad bring me down. I have leveled up in my business and continue to grow not only in my writing, but am growing my coaching clientele, my motivational speaking platform, and I am now offering more services through my website. I realized it was not too late to redefine my goals and dreams and to start modeling and represent clothing and jewelry brands worldwide. I am thrilled to say I am living the life I love. Although not every day is great, I choose to focus on the best parts of each day and practice gratitude because I know it can always be worse.

This Year Has Proven I can Accomplish Anything I Set Out to do and So Can You

All it takes is a vision and the belief in myself followed by perseverance, passion, patience, and discipline. When I want something bad enough, I now know nothing can or will stop me, and that is a fabulous feeling. Whether it is getting the answers and solutions I need for my children or getting the right business contact to nail the deal I desire, I know I am worthy, and I can achieve the outcome I want.

“Inner peace is impossible without patience.” ~Brian Weiss

I Am More Patient Than I Realized

I have never considered myself a patient person. Perhaps the Taurus in me leads me to believe I am bullheaded. The bullheaded part of me is what gets stuff accomplished, though, so I believe that can be a good trait. I have learned to be more patient as far as waiting for answers and results. I believe that comes with having a strong faith and believing in positive outcomes unless proven otherwise. I also surround myself with inspiring, uplifting people, which helps ease my mind immensely.

I believe the key to my success in 2022 will be patience, strong faith, and focus on the end result while at the same time staying in the present moment. I try each day to practice what I preach. I am human, and I still make mistakes, but as long as I continue to learn from them, I can live with that. I practice progress over perfection. I have never needed perfection but would rather enjoy the journey and live in a state of contentment. I simply pray for wellness of body, mind, and soul.

“Goodbyes make you think. They make you realize what you’ve had, what you’ve lost, and what you’ve taken for granted.” ~Ritu Ghatourey

Take Away

Not all goodbyes are difficult. Every goodbye leads to a new hello. We will soon close the door to 2021 and see what 2022 holds in store, but with each goodbye come lessons learned, stories treasured, strengths gained, and obstacles overcome. Hopefully, we will take all we learned in 2021 and use it to our advantage in 2022. I hope you feel as inspired as I do to end 2021 on a positive note and allow that energy and inspiration to carry over into the new year with positive intentions, strong goals, and a mission to accomplish all I desire.

Cheers to all of you. I will be sending you all love, warmth, and laughter all month long as we wrap up the end of 2021 with a bang. Ravyne Hawke, will you please participate in this prompt from Living Out Loud — Goodbye 2021. Sujona Chatterjee tagged me, and I chose to write about, Thank you 2021 — you taught me… The other four prompts she offered that you can choose from include:

• The journey called 2021
• When this moment in 2021 changed me
• If I could do 2021 all over again, I would…
• Goodbye 2021 — Here are a few of my takeaways

Thank you everyone for reading. I wish you a very happy ending to the year. I appreciate you all very much.