In my young adult years, I had a hard time being seen for who I was.
I was always identified by where I grew up, whose sister I was or who I hung out with. Although I loved those aspects of myself, I was more.
As years went on, I had to make choices for my happiness. Choices often opposite of what I thought was expected of me. That meant becoming vulnerable to change and criticism.
That shift came with a yearning to experience more of what life had to offer. I began to look outside the walls put in place by others and myself to live a life God wanted me to live.
I began to capture these experiences in my writing. This became a way for me to purge, process and heal.
This blog is that journey and it continues. A journey full of love, tears, pride and lots of laughs.
Thanks for joining me.
Celebrating One Year of “Lessons and Revelations”
This month I celebrate one year of my blog, “Lessons and Revelations”.
When I began, the blog was a way to share some of my challenging life experiences for readers to know they are not alone. Often, life experiences grab a hold of us and keep us stuck. As much as we want to move on, we can’t. Our emotional responses in these times may be contrary to what the world tells us we should feel. These are the reasons I write.
Ending That Which No Longer Serves Us
One of the best books I’ve read is called Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud. Recommended to me by my Bishop, it was the answer to my current state of uncertainty and transition. Written by a best-selling author, psychologist, and leadership coach, this book is a guide to ending what needs to end for one to have a life of growth and health.
I finished this book in a short period of time. Soon I began to see the situations in my life that needed to end. Quite frankly, it made my heart race.
HospItality
The quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.
As a tourism professional, I understand how to show hospitality from a professional point of view. I made a career of it for many years. Beginning as a front desk agent at a 4-diamond hotel, I became a sales manager for a convention center after years of work in the industry. On a personal level, my definition of hospitality was broader.
Creating A Home Where there Is None
I hate moving.
In 10 years, I have moved to a new residence four times. Half of those moves are thanks to the itinerant system of the United Methodist Church.
Moving as we change church appointments is hard most times. I made it through with the support of clergy spouses who helped me to remain focused on the positive. I am also grateful to family who helped with physical labor when I had none to give.
I Feel You
It was not easy to watch the confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Inhale. Exhale. Pause. Answer calmly.
This was my silent mantra as I watched this historic event on CNN in my living room.