It gets better. It really does.

I know, I know. That's a cliche saying that you've heard one too many times. But the thing about cliches, is they stick around for a reason. And sometimes, that reason.... is because they're true.

I won't say I understand. I won't say I know exactly how you feel. Because I can't, and I don't. But what I will say is I've not only seen hell, but I've lived there. I've met the devil face to face and lived in anguish, fear, and obedience of him. I've been swallowed up by the darkness, and I've labeled myself as "too far gone." I have my story, but I won't go into detail, because today, today is about- YOU. What I want you to know about me though, is that I felt so worthless- so worthless, that I thought I was better off dead.

But guess what? I'm writing to you- not as a ghost, not as a dead girl walking- but as a living breathing human being. One with a beating heart. And even better, one with a smile on her face. A genuine one. One that I never thought I'd see again. But here it is. Here I am. I thought there was no girl left to salvage under my pile of demons that had me chained down. But those chains are gone. And I am here. I am real. A girl I thought was gone forever, is not only back, but happier, healthier, and more hopeful than ever.

You see, sometimes we can get so lost in the darkness that we begin to believe the light no longer exists at all. But that my friends, that is an utter lie sent to you straight from the enemy. Whether you believe in the devil, or maybe your enemy to you is addiction or temptation.... regardless of your definition of the enemy- the enemy wants you dead. Now that's a big pill to swallow. This tempting little creature that whispers convincing lies into your ear, this voice of destruction that for some reason you trust, isn't out to help you the way they convince you they are. What they're really after is not helping you, but sending you straight into a 6 foot hole in the ground.

But, I am writing to you as a friend. As someone who worshipped the ground that the enemy walked on. And as someone who is speaking to you from the other side. So trust me, not the enemy. Because I, I love you. And the enemy hates you. So take my hand, let yourself be enveloped in love, and come into the other side. You are welcome here, you are wanted here, and we have been waiting for you.

The other side? You're probably thinking... that doesn't exist anymore. I thought that too. I believed it with my whole heart. But here I am. Not only on the other side am I surviving, but I am truly living. Help is real. Hope is real. Life without your demons, IS REAL.

So how do you get here? First things first- you've got to keep hope alive. You may feel hopeless, but dig deep brave soldier, as long as you're living, hope is still alive. And if you keep hope alive, hope keeps you alive. Whether you believe in the magic of hope or not, hope will always believe in YOU.

So cling to it. Cling to it with everything you've got. That hope is a light. And as you believe in it, the flame of hope grows brighter and brighter. It illuminates the dark. Until before you know it the darkness pales in comparison to the light in your life.

Sometimes it gets worse before it gets better. But the cool thing about rock bottom, is that there is nowhere left to go but up. Rock bottom is a great place to set up a solid foundation. To set up the building blocks of your new life. Your life full of hope.

Whoever you are. Whatever you've done. Wherever you've been. You are NEVER, hear me out... NEVER too far gone. There is no such thing. Hold on to that little ray of hope. It gets better. And the light of hope gets bigger, and bigger, and bigger.

There is a way out of the cage where you live. You may be in a cage my friend, but the catch is this. That cage.... is unlocked. You simply must find the courage that exists within you to push open the door. You have to take the leap of faith. To find at least one ounce of you that believes there is something better on the other side. And I promise you, there is.

I'm not you. I haven't seen your hell, or faced your demons. But what I have seen... is the other side. And it's real. And more beautiful than you can ever imagine. And there is NO criteria that you must meet to be "good enough" to walk into the light. You are enough, just as you are.... you always have been.

Keep the hope brave one. I believe in you. And I love you. Keep fighting the good fight, because I promise you....

IT GETS BETTER.