Happy New Year Everyone!!!

This is literally my first post since last year. I know! I know! It’s been a while.

If you’re anything like me, you know what it’s like to get lost is the hustle and bustle of life. It happens; But when it does, the message I have for you today is that it is perfectly okay to Begin Again!

Most of us would probably agree that 2020 was an interesting year. Who knew that many of us would become unemployed, work from home, home school our kids, or have to wear a mask for a simple grocery store run, as if life wasn’t already hectic. Geesh! We’ve all had to adjust to quarantine living…got dishes?

In the midst of all of this, some of us started businesses, podcasts, launched websites, and published books. Some of us we were afforded the opportunity to make steps toward accomplishing goals that we put on the back-burner because we simply didn’t have the time to do so. Some of us discovered passions we didn’t know exist until now. Some of us began projects; projects long passed due because of procrastination, fear or failure, or simply because we doubted our own ability to get the project done. Nonetheless, during such a time as this, we’ve started that thing which God laid upon our heart to do.

How does all of this happen during a pandemic? How do you juggle home life, work life, school, homework, zoom meeting after zoom meeting, host your podcast or Facebook live, manage your website, and maintain your own business all at the same time? Where does the energy come from? How do you sustain this beautiful thing you have created when there’s so much going on all at once? I repeat, there’s so much going on.

On last year, I successfully launched this website, reestablished my social media presence, and self-published my first children’s book, “The Little Bear in a Boat” all by the month of May. I had even began my first Facebook group, “My Beauty is Forreal”, a group created to help women understand and honor their self-worth. I mean I really felt as though I was fulfilling my heart desires and things were great. However, when I sat down to reflect in December, I realized that I had not maintained any of what I enthusiastically began at the beginning of the year. My goal was to thrive, get many followers, sell lots of books in a short amount of time, and just live my best life.

Well, when I realized that most of what I started had been left undone, I immediately began to feel like I failed. I felt as though I failed at maintaining my website. My Facebook account was hacked so I felt as though I lost connection with the network that I diligently worked to build. Not to mention, my Facebook group came to a halt because I no longer had access to my account. While books were still selling, I felt as though I could do more to increase sales. I felt as though I dropped the ball. I began thinking, “People must notice.” I wondered what people may have been saying or thinking. A complete no, no, right? (No pity party you guys, I promise this is going somewhere.)

Have you ever felt like this before? Perhaps, your story is similar to mine in a sense that you began a “thing or things” with great momentum but somehow, someway, you veered off track. Maybe you burned out or needed a mental break. Maybe you failed to plan out how you would stay true to your diet, stay on top of the bills, or break that habit. Maybe you started a task and it completely flopped. If you find yourself any of these categories, I’m here to encourage you to Begin Again!

Yes, 2020 may have been a bit krazy. Everything may not have gone the way you wanted them too but, it is not too late to hit the reset button. God has so graciously blessed each of us with the gift of life by granting our eyes to open and BEGIN a brand new day. Each day we are given the opportunity to start over. I don’t mean to sound “churchy” but, God’s grace and mercies are NEW everyday so what didn’t get done on yesterday, you are blessed with today to get it done. Use it!

Use this day to pick up where you left off.

Use this day to recreate what you’ve already created.

Use this day to breathe life back into that project. Speak life to that “thing” again!

Don’t allow guilt or shame to hinder you from moving forward NOW. 2021 has already made its grand entrance and some of us have already thrown New Year’s Resolutions out the window for one reason or another. If this is the case, do not be afraid to pick up the baton and keep running. Stop beating yourself up about what didn’t get done. Stop beating yourself up because you may have fallen down. It takes a whole lot of courage to get back up and keep going. I want to remind you that you, yes you, have it inside of you to pick up the pieces and move forward. Move at your own pace. You are NOT in competition with anyone except yourself.

Before closing, I want to acknowledge that some of you may be dealing with far worse scenarios than the ones mentioned in this post, but the Word of God says “Be strong and courageous…He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Yes, there’s a lot going on but you are not alone. You and I may not have the answer to every question but we must be strong and courageous. Sometimes being strong and courageous isn’t all about showing physical strength; sometimes being strong and courageous is about being bold enough to face another day and daring to Begin Again.

Much love,

Takelia

P.S. I send condolences to anyone who has lost a loved one or loved ones during this pandemic. May God bless you with His peace that surpasses all understanding. For those of you that may have lost your home, job, or business, I pray that God restores. For those that may be wondering where your next meal is coming from, I declare that you shall NOT lack any good thing. To each of you, I pray that your strength be renewed. In Jesus name, amen.