Among the Negatives An Open Letter to the woman I’m abandoning in 2017 for the woman I am ready to be in 2018 By: Abriana Leeper It’s the least wonderful time of the year, the end of it; arriving once again like it always does. Reflecting is always appropriate, yet unwelcomed at this time, and you find yourself looking back through all 364 days, sifting through for every mistake you made. This year went exactly as you planned, didn’t it? It doesn’t end with a new transition, or in a new place. Those toxic relationships are still in place, the vision board you meant to create lay in pieces hiding in a folder with the board pushed towards the darker parts of the closet. Every good and perfect disaster emerged like an unwanted house guest, arriving with plenty of baggage and no exit date. None of this, however, surprised you. You fearfully walked hand in hand with each disaster, unwilling or unable (or both) to muster up the courage God already gave you to simply say no to this life and walk into the promises God has given. This is not your life, you do not belong here. 2017 went according to the plans you hoped would not come to pass, but in no way made sure did not. A precious life was lost, but in its wake a new life has to emerge. Yours. In a short time, everything looks like it’s falling apart, but that is simply God’s way of letting you know these pieces have no business in your future. They are replaceable and therefore need no mourning moment. Your children need you to stand up and be the woman God has created you to be. You are more than equipped for the task, you are ready.
26|CIU New Year 2018
You were not crushed, destroyed, ruined or left without hope. You did not die from all the pain and disappointment, and your heart did not break after the most inconceivable happened. You survived through everything you believed was sent to take you out. 2017 was not simply filled with forgettable disasters you wished never happened. In fact, there is no wishing--they happened, and you cannot get rid of the choices made. You can live and thrive beyond them. You spent too much wasted time in such a negative place and now is your moment to go beyond it. After all, negatives are nothing more than an unfinished piece of artwork, full of light and shadow that has been processed into a position, for a positive piece of work to arise.
