Zora Neale Hurston once wrote, "There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” - Many of my questions were answered in 2024, yet i'm still filled with more questions, wonder, and curiosity than I started with. How different would my life be if I asked different questions? or if I was filled with more gratitude instead of frustration when the answers came?
Either way, I am taking lessons from 2024; and like any good momento, i'll alway be reminded of the questions and answers that led to me to a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. So, here’s a few of my 2024 take-aways, or lessons…
Watch God Work
I prayed for spiritual growth and character development at the end of 2023. I wanted to be have more patience, gentleness, courage, and love. I work with middle schoolers now, and my patience has grown tremendously in light of my work. I've also noticed that being gentle with the students challenges me to be more gentle to and with myself. Children have a funny way of showing you we are all children within. I was challenged to practice courage in my classes. I got vulnerable about how my mental health journey allowed me to be a better teacher, site coordinator, and leader to the young people I work with. As for love, it’s a journey. Near the end of the year I felt a deeper challenge to choose me, to say “no”, to gift myself with quality-time with myself. Love begins within and 2024 made that really clear. Bishop Bronner, my home pastor, often says God answers prayers with a person - these experiences are a testament that God really does just that..
New Experiences are waiting on the other side of your comfort zone
Living in a foreign country solo for a month and a half was out of my comfort zone. I know i’ve talked about Argentina a lot. It meant a lot to me to take that leap into the unknown. I wanted something new, but I had to acknowledge my fear and comfort zone would only keep me from what I wanted. Life is often like that, and whether it's a job, creative endeavor, relationship, friendship or otherwise, what's "comfortable" and familiar isn't always good for you.
People are Mirrors
Lately, when I find myself wound tight about a person's behavior, frustrated about someone's attitude, or simply annoyed by their mere presence I practice introspection. What irritates me the most about the person? And in what ways have I acted the same way? People are mirrors, and some would say strangers are versions of ourselves we haven't met yet. So, instead of being pissy about someone's pissy attitude, make it a point to learn something about yourself from the interaction. You may just develop deeper compassion for the person, and yourself.
You only get one body, so take care of it
The panic attacks, multiple doctors appointments, and emergency room visits forced me to get serious about my health. I got serious about consistent therapy. I got serious about talking about how I feel with those I care about. I got serious about prayer and rest. I got serious about valueing pause. Life is filled with so much good, but too much of anything can be bad for us. So, balance is key. We get one body. Take care of it.
Indecision is a decision
I've spent the last 10 years of my life being indecisive. Now I know that choosing not to make a decision is a decision. I've missed out on opportunities and opened doors because I couldn't make a decision. I was so afraid of making the wrong decision, I didn't do anything. Don't be me. Be better.
May this year bring you new hope, new peace, and new joy. Everything won't be perfect, but working towards living a life your happy with starts with a decision. So, make one.
I love you. Jesus loves you most.
Here's to 2025. Happy New Year!
With Love,
Miss Ponder
__________________________________________________________________________
Citation
Hurston, Zora Neale, Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York, Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 1937
Comentarios