Dear Ellie,

Trust yourself.

Trust that you aren't trying to escape. That you aren't procrastinating. That you haven't "lost vision".

This time to take care of yourself -- rest, re-set, allow your mind and body to just "be" -- isn't you being lazy or backing out.

Rest is a necessary part of life, and you haven't had much of it the last year or so.

Don't let others words and thoughts and expectations fill you with guilt and shame about where you are.

Stay true to yourself. As Brene Brown says -- don't be afraid to explore and wander into the Wilderness alone.

Take a deep breath. Exhale. Take another deep breath.

Forgive.

Smile.

You are your response to events, words, circumstances -- not others' projections of you. Stick it out.

Move forward with confidence, peace, and excitement for the future.

You are a badass.

You have a mother f-ing supreme work ethic.

You have more vision and purpose than anyone could dream residing in your Ellie-being.

Trust that -- again. Trust yourself. Trust the path God has led you down. Open your heart, don't close down. Allow for that vulnerability. Allow for the light.

Now move, girl, move like the wind, on and away from this thought, this feeling, this moment.