Happy New Year!
Many people approach the end of the year with a renewed purpose, attitude and hope; however, these past couple of years had me filled with so much dread and disappointment. I essentially had to start all over at the bottom of my career and finances. I had to rebuild my spirit and self-esteem, piece by piece. I spent the past year and a half coveting my former life. I lost my job and wished I could get back to “normal”. It has been an arduous journey. When I looked over my 2018 goal list, I realized how little I had accomplished. I felt defeated. And then a revelation hit me; it ain’t no going back to what I knew as “normal”. I have to embrace this new normal.
I’ve reconciled with the loss, and the changes that have led me to my current situation. In the aftermath, I am picking up the pieces and trying to find restoration. In fact, that’s the theme for 2019; Restoration! As I meditated on that word, and prayed over exactly what it is that I am asking God to restore for me, I realized the gains and losses I am looking to recoup are all tangible.
The possessions we cherish so fondly in our lives can easily be lost and attained. It can happen swiftly or little by little, but it all comes and goes. At the end of the day, how much of that really matters? Although I may have lost some things, I’ve come to value more than the tangibles in my life. Accomplishing goals and acquiring things are all important and necessary, but if they are not checked off my list at the end of the year, that doesn’t make me a failure. What I have gained in these months can not be measured. Maturation is a process. It’s the struggle that molds it. I am now leaning on things I know to be true about God and myself, and less about what other people say or think. I don’t let frivolous things or people bother me as much. I’ve learned to meditate and stay focus on the positive things. I’m resilient and persevering against the odds. I know and love me more now…and that’s what really matters. Whenever this type of change happens, you can live a more happier and grateful life.
Things may not be how you want it, but joy and peace will never leave you. In 2019, I don’t want to continue holding my breath and living with a cloud of dread over my head. I want to enjoy life and be present. I may have only checked off 2 of 16 bullets from my list, but every day that I had breath in my body was a win, a gift, a miracle. I may not have tangibly gotten a lot done, but I made it through the year, and that’s no small feat.
Cheers to 2019!
Cheers 🥂
Glad you’re back! I look forward to reading your posts weekly! Praying for abundant blessings for you this year
Absolutely!
This is lovely! I love your energy going into 2019! Good luck to you!
Thank you
This post basically sums up my thoughts going into 2019. 2018 taught me some hard lessons — some I hated. However, I came into 2019 knowing that I needed to do things differently based on those lessons. So far, so good!
It’s the hard lessons that change us for the good. God’s blessings to you this year!
I know 2019 will bring so much joy and excitement already in my life and I cant wait to see all the growth that happens.
God’s Blessings to you this year!
This has literally been my life for the last 1.5 years, I realized starting over isn’t so bad after all. Thank you for this reminder that I made all the right decisions to make 2019 better.
Starting over is hard but what when you come out the other side you’ll feel like a conqueror.
I can seriously relate to you on this post. 2018 wasn’t a good year for me at all. Health issues plagued my year and I had to actually stop blogging and podcasting because my health had seriously taken a toll. After a successful surgery, I’m back and I’m determined to make up for lost time. The fact that you’re ready to make your “new normal” a reality and not look back at what you lost is a great first step. Thanks for this post.
Thank you! I am confident that 2019 will be great for both you and me. God’s blessings to you this year.
I love this. Recognize and accept your new normal, but remember your normal is the start of an amazingly new beginning. Above all else, celebrate that you survived everything that has been thrown at you.
Congrats to you for RESTORING your life! Ups and downs will always happen, but we always have to restore those things to get back in place! Very inspiring,
Yes girl, you made it! This was a good and encouraging post! He will definitely restore you, bless you, and keep you always!
We have our plans for life, and then life happens. It sounds like your setback is getting your ready for a strong comeback. Restoration is the perfect word for you!
I think ending a year with a true sense of growth is the key to calling it successful. That said – you definitely made it!
Wishing you a happy and successful 2019. I hope you achieve all of your goals this year. You deserve it. Thank you for the encouragement too.
Thank you!
Wow! This is a powerful post about self-love and truth. I could really relate when you wrote: “I am now leaning on things I know to be true about God and myself, and less about what other people say or think.” These words are full of wisdom.
I love this! “Restoration” was my word for last year. God can absolutely do it for you.
Every top of the year I get nervous and feel like I will not accomplish my goals for the year just because of the unknown. We all have goals but we can’t beat ourselves up over what we didnt accomplished, as long as we made i another year we have more time to push through.
You’re right making it this far was no small feat! We all need to learn to celebrate all of the small victories!!mI hope you enjoy and have a wonderful year!
God is definitely a keeper sis! So glad you made it! Have an amazing 2019!!!