I have found out by being on my own that I am that independent person who I wanted to be as a young adult in college over 30 years ago, but never had the chance. I can make better decisions on my own than when I depend on someone else to help me. I am able to open up, listen & learn about things that I knew nothing about by just listening & asking the right questions at the right time. I have learned that I can trust outside people again, but know that I will continually watch & guard against letting those kind of people ever into my life again. I have learned how to protect myself & have become a better judge of people after all that I have gone through. I know that I can help others learn from my own experiences & yet not let it be in control of my own life like it was.

My life is beautiful, fulfilling, & everyday is a new day with new things to learn & experience. I don't have to have a career to make this a part of my life since my daily life is now my career. I can survive & be happy with almost nothing & having "things" around me aren't the important part of life. Being satisfied with what I have & enjoying the beauty of the world around me makes me happier than anything else I have ever experienced. I do not need anything or anyone to make me feel whole because I just am on my own.