One Year, Many Lessons..

One year ago today, I thought my life was over.

Now I realize, it was only the beginning of a journey towards self-discovery. If someone would have told me I would be 27, divorced, and living 500+ miles away from my family and friends, I would have called them a liar. I may have crawled under a rock and wailed like a baby. Or, I may have realized a few things in life don't turn out as planned and that's okay. It's more than okay. A blessing in disguise, perhaps.

While it's been a long, tear-filled journey, it's been a true lesson in life. Here's a sampling of things I've learned through this journey...

• life has a funny way of working out.
• it's okay to cry in public.
• it's okay to rely on others.
• I am stronger than I think.
• there's nothing wrong with taking time for yourself.
• cereal is an acceptable dinner.
• sometimes God's greatest gifts really are unanswered prayers.
• in times of trouble, leaning on friends is the only way to get through it.
• friends are a gift.
• you'll make unlikely friends and those unlikely friends will become family.
• you need different perspectives in order to make life decisions.
• sometimes you need a shoulder to cry on, a punching bag, or a laugh all at the same time.
• being single is better than being married and miserable.
• coming home to a dog really can make you smile.
• kids will help you put things in perspective.
• often you will find others who have it far worse.
• nobody understands what you're going through exactly, but they can listen.
• it's good to have a friend who can call you out when you're being ridiculous.
• sometimes you'll be mad at the world, but you're really mad at yourself.
• therapy is amazing.
• it's okay to have to go to therapy.
• life isn't about what you have, it's about what you make it.
• it's okay to ask for help.
• even when you feel like you can't get out of bed, it's important to make the effort.
• life isn't just about you.
• it's okay to cry over what feels like nothing.
• you can't love someone else until you love yourself.
• forgiveness isn't easy, but it's important.
• accepting my faults is important.
• I have learned from my mistakes.
• I know how to say I'm sorry and really mean it.
• it's easy to hate someone, but harder to forgive them.

And the biggest thing I've learned? I am a strong, independent, beautiful woman who knows who she is because she's been through a lot. I know how to laugh. I know how to cry. I know how to ask for help and when to run away.  Letting go is not giving up. I may have times of sadness every now and then, but I know I'm better off in the end.

I love myself for who I am, where I've been, what I've done, and for who I am to become. I am me. That's all I'll ever be. But I'm pretty damn proud of me.