Dear Future Self, remember when…

Life as you knew it ceased, and you didn't know how you would keep living. You did. One moment, one breath in and out at a time. This led to the next one, which led to the next one...

All you wanted to do was lie down and give up. You didn't. Instead, you found the strength to stand and fight. 

There were so many things you didn't think you could live without. You discovered you need less than you thought you did.

You thought success meant possessions and more. It doesn't. Success is about who you are, not what you have or do.

You thought a house and possessions would bring you lasting security. They don't.

You believed losing everything would leave you hope-less...it did for a minute, but then hope came flooding in.

You thought it would kill you. It made you stronger.

The dreams and plans you had or thought would happen didn't, and you questioned yourself about where it all went wrong. It hadn't.

You thought having to pivot meant you'd failed. You hadn't.

You thought you couldn't be thankful through the pain, loss and uncertainty. You could, but you had to make that decision. At times it was a sacrifice.

You thought it wouldn't make a difference. It did. 

You believed trusting meant losing everything. It didn't, and now you have gained much more than you thought was possible.

You thought you had to be brave and do it by yourself. Instead, you found community and discovered vulnerability was more courageous and so much better.

You found a love you never knew possible in the midst of the loneliness and isolation.

You thought things would never change. They did and for the better.

You thought joy and peace could only come when things were back to normal. You discovered real joy and peace are not found in your possessions or circumstances but in LOVE.

You thought this was how your story ended. It doesn't. Remember you've read the last page,

and WE WIN.