𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔

It began as a very peaceful Sunday filled with gratitude.

I woke up feeling grateful for life and all that I possess and with that energy, I kept a positive outlook.

Suddenly, a lot of thought consumed me and it was a mixed feeling. It was more like a clip of how I spent my year was shown to me and then I realized, Damn!! A lot had happened within a short period of time.

The growth was tremendous, I remember last year December I took a life altering decision and I was so scared of the outcome. A part of me knew it was the right thing to do, the other part of me had doubts about the what ifs and how things might turn out in the end, but what kept me going was bravery. I consoled myself with "if I perish, I perish." I think at some point in our lives, we all have made tough decisions and we aren't even ready to back down on it.

Gradually the year commenced and I started getting through everything somehow. I felt the hand of God in my life as I saw things working out for my good.

Then after some months, I looked back at that same decision and gave myself a pat on the back. I did well, I faced my fears, took the risk and wasn't comfortable in my comfort zone.

Looking back at everything, I am now at peace with myself and everyone who believed in me are glad they took a leap of faith on me. I might not be where I want, but I took a bold step atleast. One thing I am sure of is, even if I'm not running, atleast I haven't stopped walking. I believe my pace is perfect for the phase that I am in and so is everyone's.

There were days things didn't go as I envisaged and yes they were days I cried my eyes out to stupor. That's part of the life package.. Surprise upon surprise.

Life would have been boring if everything went smoothly. We would have been so relaxed, we wouldn't have been on my toes ensuring we had plan B just in case.

The suspense, the failure, are all part of the spice of life and are an integral part of our very existence. How do we tell our younger generation our stories if they weren't times we failed. How would they gather strength if we kept talking about our wins only? You know some people look at us and say if he/she can conquer, I can too!

Now, it's almost two days to the end of the year. Many people have begun writing out their goals for the upcoming year, while others are just sitting in pity, beating themselves up for failing woefully.

All I am saying is, we don't have to be so hard on ourselves. The fact you cried and didn't look like it the next minute is something to be proud of. Common!! See how strong you are. You fought your silent battles bravely that your crown didn't fall to the ground and even if it did, you picked it up and wore the crown of life and decided to still rock it graciously. Look how you held yourself and did life even though it was something difficult, you are a source of strength to many people out there. They are watching and they are wondering how you did it to get this far without backing down. Take your flowers for the tears you shed privately and publicly wore a gorgeous smile lending a shoulder to the next person going through a lot.

I just want you to know you did well. Even if all you did this year was to survive, take your flowers!!

While you're counting your blessing, count the fact you stayed strong for yourself, the fact you didn't stop halfway on your goals, even though you knew you weren't reaching them as you should, you kept grinding.

Samanta Ebert -Flowers