Don’t expect others to always support your choices but do not let their opinions change how you feel about your choices. You will never be able to see yourself through their eyes, so see yourself through your own eyes and don’t waste your time trying to make everyone else happy. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Make you happy.

Be supportive not over bearing. Be kind but firm. Tread lightly and love fully. 

Remind yourself that everyone gets to make their own choices, their own mistakes, your triumphs are your own. Make your own choices and own them. You don’t have to justify your choices but you have to accept the outcome of your choices. 

Life never turns out quite how you thought it should but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exactly how it’s supposed to be.

I’m thankful that I didn’t have to answer the phone this morning. That nothing in me felt the need to justify my choices to a man who treated me so poorly. I’m thankful that those closest to me all had the same reaction when they saw the number on the phone. A reaction somewhere between WTF and anger. I’m thankful that time of my life no longer has any control over me.