Yesterday I turned 33 years old, and alike most birthdays, the week surrounding offered time & space for me to reflect on EVERYTHING. All that is. All that was. All that will be. This years reflection was much different than most, however. Usually I would comb through many failures before landing on a few accomplishments I was most proud of. I would hold on to those accomplishments for dear life before crashing back into a sea of my mistakes, mishaps, and mess ups.

This past year I’ve grown. I can feeeelllll the growth. I’ve learned the recipe to a joyful me starts with appreciating ALL of me, at every level and stage I so happen to be in. With that being said, I’ve decided to celebrate the me of today. The me that hasn’t yet arrived at total freedom, but the me that’s grown enough to appreciate the growth that is right now.

In case I loose sight of what attributed to my growth, here is a list of some of my accomplishments of year 32:

I…

• Started the process of healing my soul
• Went through self-deliverance
• Gave myself permission to cry
• Started learning ME
• Launched a business while multitasking a full time job
• Delivered my beautiful baby girl naturally
• Started my breastfeeding journey
• Started homeschooling at the unctioning of the Holy Spirit
• Started reading…ALOT!
• Invested in myself
• Relinquished control in areas I once wouldn’t dare
• Gave myself a voice where I use to “shrink”
• Said No.
• Spoke my truth
• Found my “happy place”
• Learned what real friends look like for me in this season

I admire me today. Right now, 33, plus 1 day. My prayer is that growth becomes the new standard for all that is to come. “Did I expect that? Did I prefer to take that rout, or loose that friend? Was my house more hectic than I would’ve liked? Was it WAY harder than I thought? Did I gain some scrapes and bruises along the way?” Yes, yes, and yes! But did I learn something? Did I grow? Was the Holy Spirit guiding me? Than it was worth it and it’s worth mentioning.

How about you? Has another birthday or the quickly approaching new year have you pondering your life’s accomplishments? Do you tend to look at them positively or negatively? Explain, I’d love to hear!!

#shetalkslife