On New Year’s Eve 2016, I decided that, in 2017, I would choose me.  I would choose what I want in my life and what I want to do – as opposed to doing what is expected of me.  On New Year’s Day 2017, with purposeful intention, I opened my mind, my heart, and my soul to Flow.  I resolved to get along with people, to not react and respond to what I perceive as negativity, and to learn to see the light in myself and everyone else.

On the last day of 2016, I outlined life changes that I would work on in 2017.  I would strive to be positive and cooperative.  I would let go of how others treated me, what they didn’t give me, or what they could have or should have done.  I accepted that I have the power to change my life and that there is no power that has yet been born that can take away my joy.

More importantly, I saw myself moving forward by any positive and productive means necessary.  Sometimes, we won’t leave our neighborhoods, cities, loved ones, jobs or other comfort zones – no matter how draining or miserable – because of cultural norms, family ties, love, financial dependence, fear of being alone, obligation, and any number of reasons.

I am around many people who live health-based lives.  I am also close to those who chose to live in unhealthy ways and are in denial of the realities and consequences of their actions and ways of thinking and being.  I completely understand the latter because it has been extremely hard to look in my mirror and face the ways in which I have contributed to all aspects of my existence.  Regardless of how I believe that I have been treated and how unfair and wrong the externals in my life have been, I could have reacted differently, knowing that I am complete and whole, and that nothing can stop me from receiving what is for me.

Sometimes, being understanding, supportive, and committed can keep you from your destiny.  When your fullest potential is unrealized, maybe it’s time to step back and away from where you’re placing your primary efforts.  As for me, I got tired of living on the side of a cliff and decided to get off.  Whatever it takes, whoever and whatever I have to leave, I am moving forward, onward and upward.

One of my first mentors passed on to me much wisdom while she continued her life’s progression.  She did not stop to explain in more detail or to carry me.  Today, I understand why my mentor kept moving.  I listened, but wasn’t ready to hear, and she wisely limited the amount of energy spent on me.  She knew the dangers of stopping her progression.  Instead of wanting her to slow down, I should have kept up.  Some lessons are learned late; but, better late than never.

On New Year’s Day 2017, I watched The Wiz Live on video.  The Wiz is the Black version of the Wizard of Oz.  It expresses an age-old story of wanting other than what you have, yearning for the grass that is perceived to be greener on the other side, and searching for and needing anything and anyone external to yourself, when that which you could ever want or need has its genesis within you.

Watching The Wiz on the first day of 2017, I felt that I had come full circle.  I went from wanting to go home (wherever I wasn’t) to knowing that, wherever I am, I am home.  That’s what The Wiz is about.  Where is home?  Home is where your heart is.  Home is where you are.  You can always get home, return home, and be at home because you can never leave yourself.

In 2017, I faced my past and all that I have been through.  I released.  I breathed fully.  I opened up to all of the infinite ways that life presents itself.  I accepted my past as all good because it brought me to here, to now.  The hardships that I endured pushed me to let go and return to me, myself, and I.  2017 was the year that I chose to break away from limitation.  It took an entire year of determination and focus.  By its end, I was able to say without guilt or self-condemnation, “I am not taking this drama and trauma into 2018.”

I see my past through my present awareness.  It is time to let go.  Let people be.  Let them live their lives however they want.  Let me focus on living the way that I want.  I don’t have to drag anyone along my path and I don’t have to be dragged along the paths of others.  We are each and all free to pursue whatever we want and to grow at our own pace.  I choose joy, peace, love, and abundance.  I choose awareness of my oneness with ALL that flows freely to and from me through many channels.

In these first days of 2018, I feel more secure within myself.  For years, I have worked on me.  I have struggled to change me.  I have planted good seeds.  This year, as Jesus asked of his disciples, I am willing to say goodbye in order to say hello to a new life.