Today is page two of 365 leading into another chapter in all of our lives. I don't know about all of you, but 2016 was almost the worst year of my life.

I lost a lot of people, but I also gained some amazing people as well. At first, I did not understand why I lost some of the people, but now I do. Some people hold us back from reaching our full potential in life. Some people are here for the full ride to weather all the storms life throws your way and some are only here to tackle a few of those obstacles with you.

When I thought about this past year, I thought I lost more than I gained. When really I didn't. Yes, I did lose a very close sister to me. I won't even say best friend because we were much more than that. I thought for sure she would be the one standing by me on my wedding day when I say I do. I thought she would be the aunt to my kids and the extra babysitter or one to help me raise my kids if I needed it. I thought for sure we would be the ones to make it through everything, but we were both holding each other back from growing and branching out. I hope all is well on her end and I hope she wishes the same for me. God does everything for a reason and now I finally realize why he sent us our separate ways.

I lost all trust for anybody and everything. God tested me in every way possible that he could, but that just brought me closer to him. I asked God to give me a sign if this one person should stay in my life and believe it or not two days later I lost a ring that person had given me. To all the nonbelievers or ones that say no one like that can exist, I say how can you not believe in a God so great and high? If you really are lost and seeking help, just call out to him. He is always there. One thing I have learned is that when I had no one, he was always there with open ears for me. You just have to pay attention to his signs.

If something bad happens, don't be mad about it. Maybe that needed to happen in order for something more amazing to come along. Someone very close to me has taught me a lot in these short months. Stop stressing and complaining about the bad things in life. Wake up every day and find the positives in life. Get rid of all the negativity in your life and see how much better it is. I hope to become half of the person he is today. I don't know how I would've survived a few of these past months without having him there to just call whenever I needed someone. In order to make it sometimes you have to be alone. Why have a thousand fake friends for when things get real and they disappear when having one real person who will be there for you is so much better.

With all of that being said, I'm moving on to a better me. It is time to put away all of the excuses and all the people not helping me become a better me. I will not let people distract me or hold me back in life from achieving and making my goals a reality for me. I will continue to grow closer to God and not fall astray from him. I will work on the things I need to work on as a person. I will keep my priorities right in life. I will become a better me.