The Year Of The Unexpected!
Romans 5:3-5
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Like all unexpected challenges, there's no amount of cautiousness, or even planning that can prepare you for what's coming. This year has been challenging in more ways than one, in fact I've had a shitstorm of difficult waters to navigate, from starting the year majorly depressed and in denial about it, to having a loved one pass away, betrayal by friends, getting my heart broken into a million pieces, setback in career choices, and repeatedly having my wings clipped. I've literally been sick from some of the punches 2017 has thrown at me.
But this year has revealed a lot to me about myself. I didn't know my heart was big enough to love even those who didn't love me back, or that I was strong enough to not only handle pain, but use it as a compass to move forward and create something beautiful (which I'll share in due course). I've learnt to love myself enough to put myself first, to invest in my happiness, I've learnt that I can't control everything but I CAN work on improving myself, get better at communicating my feelings, creating boundaries and pursuing my dreams with the same dogged determination as I always do.
I've also learned how to put God first in the most practical ways, my thirst and yearning for him grew this year, and it set me on a path to explore my faith and my relationship with God more seriously; because when all is said and done he's all I have, and what's better than consulting with the one who created you and has the blueprint to your life.
As I sat down to evaluate my 2017, and plan my 2018, I worked on an exercise where I went through each month and chose something I was thankful for. I found that some months were more difficult than others, but the months I struggled to find something to be thankful for were the moment I felt really close to God, that in itself is not only a blessing but a lesson.
I reconnected with long last family members, I won an award in recognition for my work, I met and interviewed several celebrities, made more friends, lost a chunk of depression weight, cut off excess baggage, volunteered more, celebrated the gift of life by living it to the fullest (date nights with myself), showed my loved ones I loved them, saw my best friend get swept off the market, met legends, got a new job, landed and completed an internship at the biggest ad agency in London, read over twenty books, grew my business, started a homeless food kitchen, did more paid presenting and voice over gigs, and fell hopelessly in love with the gift of life! I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue this amazing journey, thankful for my family and friends, thankful for growth, thankful for unexpected blessings, even those that came disguised and for every lesson I've learnt this year, I'm ready to close this chapter and start a new one, knowing when I look back it's going to be one helluva book.
In 2018 I'll continue to flourish, cultivate healthy relationships, drink my water, mind my business, release the inner glow, keep my waist snatched and my booty popping! Just living my best life sis!
I leave this with you, have the courage to follow through with your dreams and plans or 2018, see you on the other side.
" Of all your attributes - youth, beauty, wit, kindness, mercy - courage is your greatest achievement. For you without it, can practise no other virtue with consistency"
Habakuk 2:3 - For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry"
