You Are Not A Lot of Things

A little something to my single mom friends

YOU are not defective.
You are NOT defective.
You are not a product of your circumstances.
You choose the path you travel.
You are in charge of how you feel.
You are the only one that can filter for your heart.
You might be broken.
You might be hurt.
You could have been burned or wronged.
But YOU are NOT defective.

YOU have all the power and capability in the world.
You are stronger than you think.
You will likely be pushed to the brink, your very own edge…
You will have to suffer great things before you realize your strength
But it exists, maybe just below the surface…
Maybe down a few (hundred) layers.
But it is there.
The gusto. The power. The strength.
The stamina. The willpower. The chutzpa.
You are the strongest person you will know but,
in order to learn this, you will have to fall to your knees and let yourself be beaten.

You do not have to repeat history.
You do not have to feel regretful for your mistakes.
You DO, however, HAVE TO learn from your mistakes.
You can’t control everything
But that which you CAN control, you must master.
You will make more mistakes, no doubt.
You will offend, upset, alienate and then move on from countless people.
And in the end, the people around you are the real-deal-folks.
You must appreciate their love and support.
You will need to depend on their guidance and input.
You will look back at the pressure you’re under right now
and you will smile sweetly, remembering the woman you once were.