Before you say hello to the new version of you, you have to say goodbye to the old. Keep moving, don’t stop even when the basketball stops dribbling. Keep moving, don’t stop even when your friends stop walking. Keep moving, don’t stop even when your phone stops ringing. Keep moving, don’t stop even when your heart is breaking. Hello, old version of me, it’s been a while, I haven’t seen you in such a long time. It was hard to even recognize you, funny meeting you here. Now that I have you here, let’s have a chat. Lift up your head, you’ve been through a lot, trust me I know, but look at me, the NEW version of you, I am proof that you made It through. Listen, we cannot change the past, I know you want to, but our past is what shaped us to be the person I am today. Our past guided us into unknown territories that I would have never walked into by myself. Our past made us realize we had unresolved childhood trauma. Our past made us realize yes, we love church, yes it is a part of us, but we also need therapy. I know you’re in pain, I know you are suffering, but this is only going to make you stronger. The pain and loss you have suffered throughout the years, don’t discount that, and don’t take it for granted. Everything you went through, everything you are currently going through you need to go through it. This is your story, and your story is going to help so many teenagers/young adults that have experienced similar situations. You are not a mistake, you were put on this Earth to help, guide, and protect the next generation. What you’re experiencing right now is only growing pains. Before you become the person you see today, you have to heal. I was once you, I tried to sweep everything under the rug. I forgave people right away without talking about the issue. I constantly held my tongue. I helped others without a thought, and when I needed the help, those same people I helped were nowhere to be found. Before you become the person you see today, you have to get familiar with the word ‘NO.’ The word ‘NO’ will; save your life in the near future. You may be alone now, but once you’re healed, you will find your people. Listen to my words, you will have more associates than friends, but you will have a solid inner circle that you can depend on for every single thing in your life. So, stand up, say goodbye to the old version of you, and look ahead, look at the person you will become. Stop dwelling on the past, your future is bigger and brighter than you could have ever imagined. You will survive, not only will you survive you will be happy. I’ll see you soon.