chapter 31
My mother in law said you’re 31 today and you’re a Proverbs 31 woman. PERIOD. Happy Birthday to me, and shoutout to Big G for letting me see another year. I’m grateful, and excited.
I now have a pretty healthy reflection practice that I perfected and put into the Do It Journal, so I thought I’d do it here. It goes like this:
Gratitude
My children. The first and last thing that keeps in me in a grateful spirit is the opportunity to mother my angels Maverick and Willow. They give my life more meaning than anything ever has, because I know beyond all else that my mission is to give them the most love and care and be their guide in this life. They are my grounding force. So many beautiful opportunities have come into my life in the 18 months since they came into my world. I’ve been in rooms with Presidents, spoken to crowds about my work, and had my work seen by the world. In the beginning it felt like a challenge to balance being their mom and a business woman. But I realize in gratitude that becoming their mother has made me better at everything else, and so much more prepared for it. I have a strong sense of self grounded in the ideals and values I hold dear because I know they see me when no one else does, and I must always be their example. Motherhood is the purest form of love I’ve ever experienced, sometimes it feels like my heart is going to burst just looking at them. For that I am truly grateful.
Wins
Year 30 brought with it a plethora of wins new opportunities and new ventures. But if I had to sum it all up, I’d say the biggest win has been growth. The business has grown, the following has grown, I personally have grown. And I’ve been more intentional about documenting that growth and relishing in it. It helps me not to be so quick to move the goal post. Contentment is also a win. To be happy right where you are. Working for the next thing but not anxiously wishing for it. I realize now that my dream life looks a lot like the one I have - stability and a beautiful family. It also lets me know that God’s vision for my life goes well beyond my wildest dreams, so I’m excited to see what He has planned next.
Challenges
in my control
My greatest challenge this year was balance. Often feeling like I’m being pulled in a thousand directions. It reminds me of a quote I heard from a female CEO - “You can have it all, but not all at the same time.” I’ve found that to be true and perfectly reasonable. I can’t be everything for everybody all at the same time, and most times no ones asking me to. I’m learning to prioritize and set my life up in a way that works for me on every front. I’ve always been uncompromising about the way I want to live. I never felt like just because this is the way things have always been done that's the way the way they have to be for me. I stand by that. My kids go to bed at 9pm because that’s what works for me. I work while they nap because it works for me. I hire cleaners because it works for me. I do the things that work for me. And when something stops working I changed it. I’m releasing all remnants of a scarcity mindset. We are to have life and have it in abundance. So I can never think the dollar in my hand is the last one I have or the idea in my head is the last good one that will come. There is an abundance and the reward for the work is the work, so with it comes more, always more.
out of my control
Outcomes. I simply can’t control outcomes. I can only control my inputs. I know that if I give it a Level 10 effort the results should match, although I can’t say when those results are going to manifest. So for 31 I’ve decided to stop trying to rush the outcomes because it often leads to me losing the plot or trying to take shortcuts. Just do your work, the reward will come. He has made everything beautiful in it’s time.
What do I want to Stop, Start, and Continue?
STOP
Scrolling. My screen time is insane, and sometimes I think it makes me less creative, certainly it takes up too much of my time. I need to put boundaries in place like screen time limits, it would honestly be a gift to myself. I also need to stop losing the plot every 5-7 business days, and just do my work. DO YOUR WORK. That’s all it takes.
START
Being more consistent in my health and wellness routines. I’m at the age now where if I don’t get a good night’s sleep I wake up sick the next day. I want to make sure I’m healthy and vibrant and that takes a consistent effort so I have to prioritize it.
CONTINUE
The work, because I’m blessed enough to enjoy what I do everyday.
Well that was all about me, here’s something for you.
30 for 30 lessons learned
The Reward for the Work is the Work. Ecc. 5:19
You can have it all but not all at the same time.
The key to manifesting: Think it, Write it, Speak it, Repeat it.
Be ready for more greatness than you can even imagine.
Never harden your heart.
Delulu actually is the Solulu
Follow your passion.
Don’t make excuses make it happen.
You have to try. Before you quit or complain - TRY.
Create something tangible that’s your ticket.
Love as hard as humanly possible.
Pain is an unfortunate but inevitable part of the process.
Embrace change and run toward it.
Life happens in your mind, protect it.
Value and nurture your relationships. Isolation kills.
Write down the things you want to happen. On paper.
Don’t be in a rush. Life = Time.
Prepare for what you pray for.
A shortcut isn’t going to get you there
There’s always a way, be relentless in finding it.
Don’t let fear stop you.
It’s your life, you decide.
Try new things - so many new things.
Expand your network.
Use your gifts every chance you get.
What makes you different is what makes you special.
A morning routine and a bedtime will improve your life.
Be responsible with your finances.
Ask. for. help.
Love yourself fully.