Another year older, where has time gone?

Sometimes it feels like I turned eighteen not too long ago. I remember then I said to myself that in ten years I would have it all figured it out. I wrote a list of “goals” and things I wanted to accomplish before I turned 30 years old. I wanted to be graduated from college, have a career making six figures a year, have a brand-new car, a big house, and be married.

And here I am 11 years later, now turning 29 years old, and guess what? I have none of the above. But you know what? That’s perfectly okay. I may not be where I want to be in life, but I am working towards my goals. It’s taking longer than I thought but I will get there. I was so naïve to believe that having nice things and being married would mean, I was successful. But I have learned that despite what we thought when we were younger, adulthood is just about making shit up as we go along.

Life has taught me was that even when things don’t work as you have planned, there is always a bigger plan working in your favor. And being successful is about finding your purpose in life and following your passions.

Our weight, our physical features, status, job, age, where we live, who we know, and how much money we make, will never define who we really are – but what’s in our hearts will. As I have gotten older I learned the importance of cultivating a different type of beauty and success – the one not so impressive to the world, but – the one on the inside.

Over the last year, there have been many major changes that have happened in my life. Some good, some not so good. But, they have brought me to a place where I yearn for simplicity.

My thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams, my life purpose, and my goals have been drastically simplified. From wanting to write a book for fame to now writing a book for the sheer joy of inspiring others, from wanting a massive house to now just wanting a cozy house, from wanting to have lots of money and now I just want to live comfortably.

I may never be rich or successful in the world’s standards, yet I am rich in the things that matter most in this life, many of which money could never buy.

No one has a promised certain number of days, months, or years to live. Most importantly no amount of money can guarantee happiness, no amount of attachment to nuanced goals or well-constructed plans for the future assures longevity.

Another year older is truly a blessing I am grateful for. As I reflect over the past years, I can truly say that I have been abundantly blessed despite life circumstances. Each day, hour, minute, second, and millisecond is precious. I want to enjoy every second.

I want to take every experience that this year brings in stride and cherish it – the lessons that I learn, all the stressful moments that come, and all of the incredible blessings that God has in store for me. I am thankful for another year. I am thankful for having the opportunity to grow older and that is a privilege worth celebrating.

For the next years I get to spend on this earth this is how I plan to spend my life.

I will live with purpose.

I will live with passion. I will dream big. I will wait for God’s timing. I will walk in love. I will write. I will be kind. I will dance. I will be grateful. I will sing. I will believe the best. I will live with patience. I will walk in forgiveness. I will hope. I will trust. I will laugh.

I will stand strong.

I will pray – always.

This year I will celebrate. Celebrate all the blessings I do have. Celebrate all the good that has happened. Celebrate all the lessons life has taught me. Celebrate how I have grown and matured. Celebrate the woman that I have become.

Today I will celebrate another year of life.