Happy New Year!

It is hard to believe that another year has gone by. So much life happens in 365 days it is hard to sometimes encapsulate all that has transpired.

This past year was a year of beautiful and trying growth. It was a year of greater awareness of who I am as a Beloved Daughter of God. It was a year of new discoveries and new friendships. It was a year full of the unexpected, good and the not so good. My faith was challenged to the very core.

I was able to travel to Austin, TX, Florida and a few other in-state vacations with family and friends. It has been a wonderful year of adventure and exploration.

But if I am honest amidst all of the wonderful things, life still happened. This year has also been one of the most challenging years. I have had to walk in a level of grace that I wasn’t sure I would be able to maintain, but God. I can say today, with all certainty, that if it was not for God in my life the hard things would have snuffed the very breath out of me. And I can say with absolute surety that the dear close friends in my life are truly the real MVPs! The late night calls, the plethora of “HELP!!!!” texts, embraces, words of encouragement, words of hard truths and their consistent love through the process is nothing I take for granted! Friendship is an invaluable gift!

If you’re reading this and you don’t have these types of friendships in your life, I implore you to make that investment this year. It is imperative in life to have solid friends that surround you no matter what (and I’m not talking about blood family, although they can be friends as well). There is just something about being vulnerable with good friends that can bring an element to your life that often exceeds your expectations. I would not be the person I am today with my dearest friends. You NEED iron to sharpen iron. (Side PSA for my girls: all you girls reading this that are looking for a significant other or talking to a guy and he doesn’t have any guy friends, um, red flags!!! Not to sound harsh but ya probably should walk (ok, maybe run) the other direction). All I know is friendships in my life are a non negotiable, it is imperative! Friends that love you no matter what are vital! Get one, or two, or three!!!

I welcomed in the new year with a community of friends that I am so thankful for. I shared with them that I am not into New Year’s resolutions at all. I am don’t feel I need to succumb to the pressure that I have to be something more or better because the clock strikes midnight ushering in a new year. I am of worth and value as I am, right now. I don’t have to perform or do things to make me more lovable or accepted. Life is a journey and we get to take it one day at a time. Believe me, as long as you have breath, there will be opportunities for growth all year long.

So today I get to look back on the past year and say, “Wow, girl you have done well and come so far…THANK YOU, JESUS!” I get to look back and know that the past doesn’t have to carry into this new year. The new year is a like a new book. Today is the first page of a new chapter. I am looking in great expectation and hope for all that the ink of life will pen in the fresh pages and chapters ahead.

My story is just beginning…

•This year know you’re enough, right now.

•This year know that anything is possible.

•This year know last year doesn’t hold your future. Your future is now.

Have an amazing hope filled year!