Acceptance

The air was cold and breezy on December 15, 2004. The midnight hour set in as the demons looked for light to cast their shadows. As time ticked forward the shadows began to dance. On this particular night, the shadows zeroed in on Melinda Cline.

Melinda was a loner, driven, focused, and a slave to the world. She was 35, a failed attempt at being a mom, recently unemployed, and an addict. She was also an addict that was hell-bent on losing herself. Although most people thought of her as a hard worker. Some thought of her as a smart dumbass. All of her jobs and relationships had failed. Her addiction defined her as a liar, a cheat, and a manipulator. She was suffering from a vicious cycle of using drugs to escape the grasps of low self-worth.

Melinda liked to think she was a recovering addict because there were many sober times. However, she was an addict all the same. She began to think of all the ways she failed others by lying and cheating. She felt like her behavior had led to ways of manipulation to feed her desires. How could anyone still be able to say they love her? She could not love herself.

On December 16, 2004, Melinda continued to battle demons. Accepting defeat, she tried to silence them and fell into a deep sleep. She woke up wondering why she wasn't able to complete the task. Why her? What was so special about her? Feeling the weight of the burden that comes along with addiction, she swore she was ready to change. She was determined to change because her life was too heavy. After months of soul searching, she embraced change. She had made a list of all the wrongs in her life and started doing the opposite. Months had gone by since the last time she used. She chooses to indulge in her past once more. She wanted to see how the new version of herself would hold up to the limits she had set.

On the first night of testing herself, she showed signs of self-control. She would only relapse this one time and would be in control of the situation. By the second night, she realized she was losing control. One time quickly lead to two. By thinking she was in control she was quickly losing control. She started losing the progress she had made. She was aware of addiction and all that came with that lifestyle and wanted nothing more than to be free.

Months of continued soul searching and changes went by. One day, as she was riding the bus home from work she saw a dollar bill under the seat. As she bent down to pick the dollar bill up her attention was drawn to a little black book tucked under the metal bars of the seat. Out of curiosity, She grabbed the tiny, cold, leather book. Opening the book, she began to read.

Hello reader,

Hope this book finds you during a great time of need. If you follow my instruction properly, you will find yourself with a gift or inheritance of twenty-thousand dollars. I have laid out steps by days. You can choose where this journey will lead you. All you have to do is give yourself a little time, and listen closely.

Be warned! Tell no one! Be patient!

Day 1. Give yourself a need.

Day 2. Give kindness.

Day 3. Give love.

Day 4. Give hope.

Day 5. Give strength.

Day 6 Give honesty.

Day 7 Give Thanks!

Day 8 Give life.

Day 9. Give acceptance.

Day 10. Give respect

Day 11 Give a feeling

Day 12 Give understanding.

Day 13. Give yourself peace

Day 14. Give thanks!

Melinda laughed quietly and thought, "You have to be kidding me". She quickly put the book back under the seat. As the bus slowed for her stop, she decides to take the book with her. Maybe this little black book was the help she needed. She found hope for the future.

On day one, She gave herself to her daughter. Her daughter needed a mother that wasn't a liar, a cheat, or a manipulator. She gave herself to her mom who needed a respectable daughter. She gave herself some need and became aware of the necessity for changes to be made.

On day two, she showed herself some kindness. She had made a lot of mistakes in her life but her past is where she came from. Her past was a long journey but she had learned along the way.

On day three, She started to accept herself and where she had come from and realized that was not where she needed to be anymore.

On day four, She gave herself hope in life she was happy with.

Day five, She gave herself strength, when she fell she stood back up.

On day six, She gave herself peace from her past. She was stronger and more determined for her future.

Day 7, She gave thanks to whoever left the book. She gave thanks to her daughter and her parents. She gave thanks to everyone who loved her regardless.

Day 8, She gave herself honesty and knew she would always be an addict.

Day 9, She accepted herself and loved herself regardless.

Day 10, She respected herself.

On day 11, She gave the feeling that change was a necessity

Day 12, She felt all kinds of ways but was determined to find improvement.

Day 13, She knew that by being foolish there was a deep understanding. She also began to realize she was here for a purpose beyond herself.

Day 14. She gave thanks for the journey, growth, and her life. Gave thanks to everyone for the lessons taught and lessons learned.

Twenty years later. Melinda still continued to battle her demons of self-control and addiction. Every day she continued to work the steps from the book she had discovered. Every day she continued to make improvements but every 14 days there would no twenty thousand dollars. Everyday She continued to build strength and endurance. She makes progress by not accepting defeat.

One day, when checking her bank balance. She finds herself with an extra twenty thousand dollars. Thinking there was an error she decided to call the bank. The bank explained that someone had deposited the money into her account. She never really understood why or how. She thought back to the little black book she had found. She was thankful she had found that little black back, and feeling blessed. She had found many blessings now she was truly counting them as well...