It’s hard to believe that we are only a few weeks away from the new year. I think I speak for a great majority when I say that 2020 was a year filled with uncertainty and many changes, which we all have learned to adapt. Even in the midst of a pandemic I still managed to take away something positive. Here are 7 Important Things I Learned This Year:
1. Hard work pays off
I never stop long enough to really think about how hard I am working. I just wake up and grind. That’s all I know. But, when I really take a moment like I am now to step back and really look around at everything that I have worked so hard for… it’s a refreshing reminder that it’s true your hard work really does pay off.
I am a healthy 26 years old, with a beautiful family. A beautiful home. I have a great career and an even better blog. I am smart.
If someone told me at 18 what my future would be like, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. Married at 19. 3 kids by 25. Master Degree by 26.
I have been working hard personally and professionally and those seeds I planted are fruitful. I am thankful that God has kept his hand on me and guided me thus far. There have been times when I felt like I wanted to give up but giving up was never in the plan for me. I know God will continue to keep his hand on me.
2. Be aware of those who don’t clap for you
It took me a long time to learn to accept that I can’t share everything with everyone. You want to know why? Simply, because not everyone you share things with is happy for you.
This year I learned the truth behind that statement. I learned how to be aware of those who don’t clap for you. Observe from a distance, take note, pray for them, and move on.
If you feel like you can relate, my best advice for you is to learn to love people from a distance. This goes for family and “friends”. And please keep in mind that not everyone is your “friend”.
3. Work your vision
This year I have witnessed with my very own eyes my blog grow. I started blogging as a hobby and that transpired into a real passion to help and encourage others.
I focused this year on the vision of my blog. This is something that I previously struggled with. As an ambitious Capricorn, I tend to overthink which leaves me at a standstill and nothing gets accomplished.
But, focusing on my blog vision this year has encouraged me to set time aside to actually focus on actions that get results. This includes setting aside time to blog, create content, build a community, and show up for my audience.
As a result, I have made some amazing friendships and partnerships. My passion is to help others and blogging allows me to accomplish my blog vision.
4. Be intentional with personal and spiritual growth
This year has taught me so much about being intentional not only with my personal growth but also with my spiritual growth. Honestly, personal and spiritual growth go hand in hand.
Growth has taught me so much about myself and how I need to respond to others. By being intentional I have learned how to tolerate less nonsense and take more control over how I respond to others and situations.
Personal growth has taught me how important it is that I focus on me. I learned that I have control over what I accept and how I respond. I control my emotions and stress. As long as I am in control, the doings of others does not and will not impact me.
Being intentional with my personal growth has shown me that I am more capable than I think. And spiritually I know I have to rely more on God and his purpose for my life, than my own understanding.
Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, And he will make your paths straight. Do not become wise in your own eyes. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad.
Proverbs 3:5-7 [The New World Translation]
5. Set boundaries
Setting boundaries are important and requires skill. Maybe, you were born with the ability to set boundaries. Or maybe, you are like me and had to learn the hard way.
I recently was listening to one of my favorite podcasts Unpack ‘n Bounce Back and the topic covered was boundaries. It was discussed whether you personally consider boundaries to be rules or standards.
If you want to take a listen:
This episode really set straight the importance of setting boundaries in your life not only when it comes to people, but also with yourself. This past year I found myself feeling frustrated and complaining about having so much to do. In reality, I had all the control I needed to change how I was feeling. I was my own enemy.
After stepping back I realized that I needed to set boundaries when it came to others and myself. Setting boundaries for me is a standard. The standard is that my time and resources are valuable.
For example, as a giver, it’s so easy for me to say “yes” no matter how burdening the task is. Once I realized how stressed and emotionally tapped out I would feel after taking on more than I could chew I learned how to set boundaries when it comes to others and myself. Saying “no”, is something I no longer feel guilty about saying. Time is valuable. I cannot get time spent back, so I am not more cautious this year on how I give my time.
6. Lead with Love
It’s second nature for me to have a response to any and everything. For every conversation or statement, I always have something to say as a follow-up. This year has taught me the importance of leading with love.
Leading with love is being quick to listen and slow to respond. Rather than quick to respond, and slow to listen. Leading with love requires patience if nothing else.
It requires being open and willing to sincerely listen to others for understanding, instead of responding quickly. Quick responses are often not made with love. Leading with love has helped me be patient when dealing with others and has allowed me to respond with wisdom.
It’s not an easy process to learn. Learning to lead with love, requires a lot of practice and good listening skills. Most of all it requires you to have the same grace with others that God has for you. Granting others grace will help you lead with love when working with others through challenging or frustrating times. It has helped me show kindness and be patient with those that I encounter.
7. God has me
I have faced many challenges in my life and have had many losses. My greatest loss was losing our second born daughter Hope. But, one thing I learned from every challenge and loss is that God has me.
RELATED: Remembering Hope: Our Heart Angel
God has never taken his hand off me. Even when circumstances seem uncertain, my path is clear as long as I continue to trust in God and follow the way he has paved for me.
Sometimes I really try to convince myself that I have things all figured out. And that’s when God takes the wheel and shows me that I can not do this thing called life alone. I need him. Keeping God first in my life is a must.
When I am feeling down and discouraged I know I can seek refuge in him. This year started off kind of shaky but once I made a decision to start studying my bible more and setting time aside to get to know God more, things changed for the better.
My Favorite Bible Verse:
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, while you throw all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. But take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world. But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. To him be the might forever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:6-11 [New World Translation]
This bible scripture has really helped me to overcome any spurts of anxiety that I may have. It’s a great reminder to know that I can trust in God and throw all my problems to him, to sort out. He cares for me. All that is required of me is to keep my senses and be watchful.
I have seen the power of God and what he is capable of doing and changing around. He is a force not to be reckoned with. I am forever grateful for his grace and mercy. xo
I hope you enjoyed reading about the lessons I learned this year. As a reflection of 2020, I would love for you to take a moment and write out a few lessons you learned this year.
Share 1-2 lessons below in a comment. I am looking forward to reading your comment.
TheQuietGirl (Anissa)
Such a lovely post! Two things I really learnt this year is to always be yourself and always listen to yourself. Those two things I neglected this year but now, I’m back on the right path. Thanks for sharing 😊!
bloglifewitherica
You learned a very valuable lesson. Far too often we are harsh on ourselves. Life would be less troubling if we all accepted ourselves for who we are and most importantly listened to ourselves. Thank you for sharing.
xo Erica
Molly @ Transatlantic Notes
Being aware of those who don’t clap for you — YES! This is something I am getting to grips with and it has been a game changer for me as it was a real block sometimes! Thanks so much for sharing!
bloglifewitherica
Yes! Don’t let those types of people be a roadblock! There is no room for negativity in my life.
xo,
Erica