Shedding Skin

    As we open the New Year hopeful and uncertain, it's important to shed the old habits and mindsets that held us back in 2013. The only way to shed them is to acknowledge them.

     In 2013, I decided to begin living the life that I've always wanted. I celebrated the last birthday of my '20's and a year of sobriety. I even started the groundwork for my own business. Last September, I started a relationship with a guy I thought finally appreciated my ambition and understood me. While he did give me good business advice, he also gave me "suggestions" that sounded like harshly worded criticisms. My business is my baby and you don't let someone speak ill of your child. That was strike one. His next offense was thinking that his time was more important than mine. That was strike two. I'm a firm believer that you make time for what you want to make time for. Needless to say I gave him the boot.

     Towards the end of the 2013, I also decided it was time to cast aside the baggage of others and focus on myself. While I love my parents, their emotional suitcases are their problem. I will love them from afar and keep them in my prayers, but it's best if I don't directly bother with them. I was a good sport in my '20's. I plan to go into my '30's free of the emotional and mental clutter they provided me with.

In 2014, I plan to do many things that scare me, but will ultimately make me a better person. I will not let past insecurities and doubt make me think I am less than what I am or have less potential than I actually have. I have a fire inside of me and I intend to ignite everything in my path.