Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful brown-skinned girl who dreamed of being an explorer and donning rainbow colored hair.  That girl had dreams out of this world and knew she would achieve them.  She had all the love and validation she needed from God and her parents.  She had pretty amazing friends with hopes and dreams of their own.

Then adulthood happened.  She soon saw the limitations others placed on her life.  She saw the hurtful things people do and say when they’ve been hurt.  She saw the extremely hard work required to achieve her dreams.  She saw her parents suffer while her father had a minor stroke and her mother passed away in the hospital.  She saw that hate and racism still existed in the world.

But this young woman learned a few things from her mother.  Perserverance. Strength. Love. Hard Work. Trust.  Hope.  She knew that this too shall pass, and her reward will be in Heaven.  Despite all she had seen and experienced, she had a heart to help others through life’s mess, through the pain, and through all of the hurt.

So from this year on, I’ve decided to be unapologetically me.  That is the only way I can truly enrich the lives of others.  God has called me to be a ‘light’, and who am I to hide this person God has created.

I dedicate this year to being me unapologetically.  A woman God is perfecting and sharpening to his liking.  He has placed dreams in my heart, and I will achieve them.  I will use the talents and gifts God gave me to help others in this world.  I will focus on the positive and pray for the negative that I see in the world.  I will continue to treat my body like a temple, not trashing it with bad food or substances.  I will speak the truth in love.  I will be confident and have faith that the Lord is working this all out for my good.

This year, I will unapologetically be the woman God has called me to be.  I will not shrink to make anyone else feel better and I will not tout myself more highly than I am.  I am a strong, black, smart, talented, caring, big-haired, romantic, inquisitive, beautiful young woman.   I will live the calling God has for my life.

I challenge you to do the same.

Much love,

Krystal Antonique