Remember growing up... thinking "I cant wait to be older! Do my own thing. Move out, go to college, have a career, find an amazing man/woman, get married, and start an incredible life with them!" Perhaps that's not what you thought, but it was my plan. It was my hope, my drive, my dream. Now that I am here... it never happens that way; does it? Sure, I went to college, passed my tests and have an incredible career and job that I love. That is something I will always be thankful for! Now in my head it was time to find my other half, the man to "complete me". The man to make all my dreams come true. Or that's at least what I thought. But life hit me, and it doesn't work that way.
We grow up in a society that makes us believe we will go to college, find our other half, get married, have a mortgage, pop out some babies and grow old. What the world never mentioned was all the life that happens in between. The good, the bad, and the hard cold truth that YOU, and only YOU can complete yourself. YOU are the only person that can motivate yourself. YOU are the only person that can make goals and dreams happen. YOU are the only person that can complete yourself. YOUR happiness depends on YOU. YOUR success is only worked hard for by YOU. YOU are the one responsible for loving YOURSELF. These are all things I learned this year... I am the only one responsible for ME. To love myself, to make myself happy, to work hard for what I want, to be accepting of myself, to create the life I have always wanted; no one at the end of the tunnel but me. With arms open for a huge hug saying "You are amazing, and I am so proud of you." So this year... I learned to love myself.
The next huge lesson I learned is what I deserve as a woman. First off, I deserve a man who loves me, just as much as I love myself. I am an incredible human being. I am a smart, funny, loving, passionate, powerful woman; and I am worthy of the affection given to me. Secondly, I am a woman of high value, and I deserve respect. Ladies we can't keep going out with these men who think its OK if they take us to dinner, that we can take them home. When did a nice dinner turn into " I bought you dinner, so your going to be my dessert."? NO! DON'T DO IT! You deserve a man who will travel to the end of the earth just to see your smile. He isn't the one sweetheart. Along with this I learned that it's OK to say "NO!" If you are not OK with something, tell them. If you are not being respected, tell them. You are not every other girl, and you do not deserve to be treated like one. But with these new lessons you must remember It is a two way street. The special person in your life deserves the same effort, love, respect and affection from you.
Now that I have self respect and love myself (which lets be honest, isn't the easiest task) I figured out that me, and only me has the power to complete myself. This is where all of the above comes in play. YOU are the key to YOUR life being complete. You are not a bird in a cage waiting for someone to come along to release you. You are the bird that soars freely, you are the lion who is powerful enough to run a kingdom, You are key to your own lock, and you are the only one who has the ability to set yourself free.
Other than big lessons being taught, I experienced some miracles too. I moved into my first apartment with my best friend, I met incredible friends, I started right out of school with an amazing job, and I was blessed with a little brother who I love with all my heart.
Thank you 2013 for giving me life, love, miracles, struggles, heartache and joy. Thank you to my family who I adore with all I have. Thank you to my friends who have supported me, loved me and given me strength. Thank you for the adventures I had. Thank you for helping me become a better woman, friend, lover, and a step up to the woman I have always envisioned myself becoming.
Please remember that as you go through life, it wont always be easy, but baby there is light at the end of a hard day. I promise you are loved, accepted, adored and cherished. You have to complete yourself before someone can compliment your life.You have to respect yourself before someone will respect you. Live a little! Do crazy things, you'll regret it if you don't. Now you have to take the step in loving, accepting, adoring, and cherishing yourself.
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Kenzie
