my challenge to you
It’s hard to believe, but 2020 is (finally) almost over. I’m sure we can all agree that it’s been the longest year EVER. It’s been full of so many different emotions. And honestly, it might seem like a no brainer to just call it as it is, and label this year as a bad year - to define this year by the challenges that we faced, by the sadness, frustration, loneliness, confusion or anger we may have felt, or by the negativity that we may have experienced. Trust me, I know 2020 is a year that we will never forget - one that has caused so many people to lose their lives, lose their jobs, lose their sense of peace and security, lose hope, and lose faith. It’s been a year that no one expected, but it’s greatly affected each of us in some way. It’s changed everything, including our perspective, in one way or another. I don’t think I need to list out every single thing that has happened - but on top of a pandemic that has left us all feeling uneasy, fearful and anxious (not to mention that has possibly left some of us without loved ones or a job), we’ve also had to deal with racial tension, the election, and so many different perspectives and opinions - it’s been a lot to handle.
But I just want to encourage you - as hard as it may seem, to not just label this year as a bad one. As one that you want to just forget and you wish never happened. It seems weird even saying that, given everything that’s gone on over the course of the last 10-12 months. But hidden beneath the feelings of pain, negativity and discomfort that we tend to experience as we go through difficult times, I think there’s so much value to be found when we face hardships or adversity. And believe me when I say, I know that when you’re in the midst of the pain or challenges or adversity, it can be hard to pull yourself out of the negative feelings enough to see the light or to understand the good that CAN (and most likely, will) come from that situation. Maybe you realize how strong and resilient you are. Maybe you lose a relationship that wasn’t meant for you in the first place. Maybe you’ve been feeling very alone, but having so much time to yourself is exactly what you needed - to reset, to focus on areas in your life that you’ve been neglecting, to find yourself, or to learn more about yourself. Maybe you lost your job, but it’s because God has something better in mind for you. Whatever your circumstance might be, and as hard as it seems in the moment, I strongly believe there is good that will come from it - but you have to CHOOSE to believe that and be willing to accept the adversity and the changes that will come with it.
If I’ve learned one thing over the last year, it’s that in the midst of the chaos and in the midst of changes, God is constant. He’s still good and He still wants to produce good things in our lives. It requires faith, especially when everything around you seems like it’s falling apart or chaos seems to be taking the place of your peace. But He is more powerful than a pandemic (something I heard today while watching Transformation Church). He is more powerful than the racial tension in our country. He is more powerful than the current situation you’re facing. And He will take what the enemy meant for evil and turn into something good. Whether that’s something that’s happened in 2020, something that happened 5 years ago or something that might happen in the future. Again, it might seem difficult to accept that and believe in, but if your perspective is aligned with that, it will seriously change the way you view difficult times. It will change everything.
my challenge to you
We have 12 days remaining in this year, and here’s what i’m challenging everyone to do. Whether you’re someone who is struggling to see the positive aspects of this year or not, I think it would be beneficial for anyone to do. Make a list or write out all of the positive things that have come from this year - for you personally, for your family, for your friends, your business, your job, anything you can think of. There’s been so much negativity throughout this year, and it can be very easy to focus on that - but if you try to be intentional with expressing gratitude and intentional in where you’re focusing your energy, I think it will make a huge difference. I would also LOVE it if you shared your list with me via email, text, the comment box below, instagram, or click the button below - just as a reminder of how many good things still came from a year that could easily be labeled as a horrible year.
Before I share my own personal list of gratitude, I want to say this. This journal post and the challenge I just suggested is NOT in any way an attempt to diminish any heartache, pain or difficulties that some of you may have dealt with. It’s not at all an attempt to “erase” any struggles that you may have faced. There have been some very intense, very real, life changing things that have happened this year for so many people. And I would never want to downplay those experiences. I would never want someone to feel as if those experiences don’t matter or they should just “see the good” and act happy, as if nothing happened. I just believe that we often times miss some of the positive things that are right in front of us, small or big, because we’re so affected by the pain we’ve felt or the bad things that have happened to us. I’ve been very guilty of this, more than once, so I’m speaking from experience. It can be easy to allow ourselves to label our lives based on difficult circumstances that have happened to us. So all I’m saying is “are you going to label this year by what you buried or by what was born?” - a quote from Steven Furtick.
With that being said - I can’t help but acknowledge the blessings that were “born” and the positive changes that have happened within our little world this year. Just like many of you, 2020 has come with so many challenges. But within our family, we honestly have so many things to be grateful for and I can’t thank God enough for that - some are small, some are big, but all have been very significant and impactful to us.
My faith and personal walk with God is stronger than it’s ever been. It hasn’t been easy for me, and it’s something that’s still growing each day, but I finally feel very connected and strong in my journey.
My husband was promoted twice in the last 7 months. TWICE. While working from home. I’m very proud of him, to say the least.
Speaking of my husband… My marriage is stronger than ever before. We’ve been together for ten years and have been through so many challenges and have experienced so much pain, but this year we’ve grown in so many ways and are closer than we’ve ever been.
I joined a connect group through my church and have built lifelong friendships with some of the women. I honestly never knew how much I needed my group and the women in it.
I’ve been able to spend so much quality time with my family (as I’m sure most people have). But it’s something that I’ve learned to appreciate so much more than I have before.
We potty trained Kyndrik in 2 weeks, a few months months before her second birthday. Parents will understand why that’s something to celebrate. But I’m so, so proud of my baby girl.
I started The Bloom Series, the most meaningful thing I’ve done so far within my photography business. It’s allowed me to be creative and make an impact, while allowing women to use their voice and share their stories.
Kyndrik learned SO many new things - more than I could have ever imagined - and is now talking so well… which i’m so proud of, but also makes me sad because she’s growing up so fast. I’ve been using a 5 year one-line-a-day journal because of how fast things are happening with her (get yourself one if you don’t already have one).
My mom started her own business, a mental health private practice that will be opening in January. She’s amazing. It’s called The Counseling Co. Check it out if you’re local and want to support her and her new journey https://www.thecounselingco.com/ !
We moved in with my parents (which may not seem like a positive thing), and because of that, are in such a good place financially. It was honestly the best thing we could have done for family and we’re so thankful for the opportunities it’s given us. Thanks mom and dad :) Not to mention, it’s been amazing during this crazy year to be able to have people around us that we love.
And last but not least - we’re bringing another little girl into the world in April and we seriously couldn’t be more excited! Pregnancy during a pandemic, with a toddler, living in your parents home has been interesting to say the least, but I'll save that for another journal post. But we CAN’T WAIT for baby girl to be here and for Kyndrik to be a big sister.
It’s honestly crazy to think about everything that’s happened this year - from COVID, to the division in our country and the tragic events that happened, to the election and the further division that came with it - yet somehow, GOOD THINGS still found a way into our home. And I have a feeling that if you challenge your perspective (if you’re someone who is struggling with seeing the positive right now, which is completely understandable), you’ll find that good things have happened in your life as well.
Again, I know that 2020 has been extremely difficult. It tried to steal our joy. It tried to rob us of our peace. It tried to take away our freedom in certain areas. It tried to divide us. It tried to test our faith. We all have probably felt so many different emotions throughout this year, and we’ve all experienced pain, loneliness, sadness or grief in some way. Some have had it harder than others, without a doubt. And I just want to say -- I’m so sorry if you’re someone who has been impacted in a major way, who has lost a family member or someone you love, or if you’re someone who has lost your job or has struggled financially. I pray that next year will be a year full of joy for everyone. I pray that good things come your way, if they haven’t already. I pray that your life or your perspective isn’t defined by this year. And I pray that regardless of the negativity that did come from this year, you were able to experience a glimpse of hope and some positivity as well.
happy holidays to everyone. sending love your way.
