My 2019 Reflections...A Year of Actualization and Overflow
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
At some point last year (2018), I began to hear one of Tasha Cobbs’ gospel hits, “I’m Getting Ready” (listen here). I later learned that this song was released in 2017. Well, it was new to me and I enjoyed hearing it on repeat...so much so, that I adopted the idea of overflow as my 2019 mantra. I began to feel so strongly within me that I was about to experience a season of overflow! I say season and not year because I don’t believe that they are always synonymous. Just as many of us are doing now, I was preparing for a new, hopeful year filled with all the things I’d been planning for. However, my vision came to a screeching halt with the passing of my father at the end of 2018. His death was the third family member that year (My maternal grandmother and Aunt). As a result, I stepped into 2019 with an overflow of emotions from loss that were all too familiar, but certainly more extreme. This was NOT the overflow I had been mentally preparing for!
From the moment 2019 got ushered in, my idea of overflow fell to the wayside. I strayed so far from the concept, that I had forgotten about even setting it as an intention over my life for the new year. I began to hear the song again once I got settled back into my new and different life with one less parent. The words I would often say to others and had no problem believing under less challenging circumstances began to echo inside of me: “everything is temporary”. With that reminder, I allowed myself to fully feel whatever I needed to feel for as long as I needed to all while fighting for God’s promise of an abundant life. I didn’t want to lose hope for a life of overflow, so I chose not to!
By March of 2019, I was knee deep into overflow and the year proceeded in that fashion. Literally, EVERY aspect of my life was and still is in a state of overflow which put me in a permanent state of gratitude. In this year alone, my faith and spiritual connection deepened to a point where I am inspired to keep seeking to learn and live God’s word over my life. Just as my father’s passing impacted me in an EXTRAordinary way, so did just about everything else I did this year in their own way(s). 2019 confirmed that I yearn to be fulfilled and challenged in multiple ways. 2019 literally said, “So, you believe all this stuff? Show me!”. It was showtime between me and me. I was forced to rise up to life with broken spirits gracefully. It was hard, but I’m empowered because of it. A beautiful outcome this year is when life proved that a part of my purpose is having EXTRAordinary impact in positive ways.
A year of actualization. Many projects, goals, hopes, and dreams came to fruition or are on the cusp of being birth. Similarly, through personal discovery, I gained insight which affirmed that I get the best results when I honor who I am at all times.
I was challenged in every area of my life to keep pushing through, relying on faith, trusting God and myself, becoming, choosing hope, inspiring, sharing, loving, “fighting”, and to keep being EXTRAordinary!
Creating a brand, becoming an influencer, and blogger has provided opportunities for me to be creative in the ways that bring me joy. Although the year did not start off well, I ended up in a dynamic space of overflow.
Enjoy my 2019 picture recap below. The pictures are captured experiences that have added positively to my life in some way this year.
Purchased matching bracelets with my cousins who lost their father one month after I lost mine. The symbol means strength. (May 2019)
Joined by family members at our church for my husband’s 50th birthday celebration. (July 2019)
Celebrating our 11 year wedding Anniversary in Aruba (August 2019)
Celebrating with Queens in New Orleans during my 40th Birthday Celebrations.
Celebrating Christmastime and ready to step into 2020 in St. Thomas US Virgin Islands (December 2019).
Thought you’d like to know: my 2020-and-beyond mantra is “Everything Attached to Me Wins”. Inspired by Jekalyn Carr’s song “You Will Win” (listen here).
What’s yours?
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!