365 days can teach you a lot

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

Birthdays are a time of reflection and rightfully so. Let's be honest, 365 days can teach you a lot.

The last 365 have done that for me.

I had the opportunity to live through a full year of motherhood. To grow into the experience and learn to love myself while doing so. I'm not going to lie, this time last year was one of the most challenging weeks of my life.

I had to unexpectedly return early from my birthday trip, which was the first time Brady and I got to spend one-on-one time together post baby. I also had lost my Nana three days prior. My Nana had lived with us since I was 16 and is truly my kindred spirit.

Between those two major letdowns and my severe postpartum depression, my birthday was something that, instead of bringing me forward into a new year of joy and light, sent me into a downward spiral that took almost two months to come out of.

When I look back on that time, however, I don't look back with anger or pain. I instead have made the choice to look back with gratitude. To explore the good that came from the loss I perceived I had experienced. Of course, I did lose my grandmother, and she is someone I miss every single day.

By making the decision to focus on the good in the "negative," it has truly changed the outlook I have on life. As I reflect on the past 365 days, I know I am in a better place today, not in spite of, but because I started in a place of "negativity" or pain. As I continued to have experiences of loss or pain over the rest of the year, I was able to reflect with love and grace — for myself and the others in the situations.

When a seed is planted, it's covered with dirt and put in a place of darkness. Without the proper watering, it cannot grow to the light. I encourage you to take a look at the situations you find dark and ask yourself, "Am I allowing the water to hit me? To focus on gratitude and see where I need to grow?"

I promise you'll grow taller than you ever thought you could and be even more beautiful!

So here's to another 365 days filled with learning, laughter and gratitude. I am looking forward to stepping into this year embracing the life lessons it will bring me and celebrating the wins I will receive.