Reflection is Necessary.

"One day, it just clicks."

Life has a funny way of showing you who's in complete control. You think it's you.. we think we run our day to day lives, but in reality, we don't. God chooses when things will or won't happen for us and sometimes we can get so caught up in our day to day that we don't even notice some of the blessing or blocks God has placed in our lives. I've read so many posts from friends and family on social media BEGGING for this year to be over because it sucked so bad for them. Now, let me just put this out here.. I don't know everyone's story and I am NOT judging you for feeling how you feel. I mean, we lost some great ones (whyyy Prince, why?!), and I saw friends and family go through things that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but I also feel that when you experience these feelings of hurt and anger, it's the best time for self-reflection.

"Oh yeah! I did that! YOU GO GIRL!"

One thing I have done for as long as I remember before a new year, besides making a vision board, is to A) write down everything I feel I have accomplished within the year, and B) everything I would like to accomplish in the new year. For me, it is extremely therapeutic to reflect on how far I've come and then set more goals for myself to achieve. Until you sit down to write out everything you've accomplished, you may forget the strides you have made throughout the year. I know I usually do until I really focus and then I'm like "oh yeah! I did that! YOU GO GIRL!" (you have to hype yourself up sometimes, trust me). Accomplishments can range anywhere from eating less junk food throughout the year to letting go of dead weight in relationships to reading more. An accomplishment is an accomplishment, no matter how big or small.

I'm excited to say that I have accomplished a lot in 2016 and I am super proud of myself. However, I've had A LOT of changes in my life this past year as well, some good and some bad, and it definitely took some serious self-reflection, prayer, and pep talks from family and friends for me to accept the difficult changes as they came. See, God always knows what is best for our lives and in order for us to truly reap every benefit he promises us, we have to let go and give him complete control and realize NOTHING happens on our time. We all truly share some of the same wishes in life. Ultimately, we just want to be happy; whether that means finding your dream job, true love, buying a puppy, drop-dead gorgeous body, or becoming famous. So when we don't feel like these things are happening for us, we can easily deem the year as the "worst year ever". We shouldn't do that guys.. because every thing we go through is a lesson from God.

"What will set you apart in 2017?"

In all complete honesty and transparency, I did not hit every single one of my goals for 2016. Some of them I came close to hitting, and some I didn't even skim the surface, but you know what? I'm okay with that. Because the things I did accomplish are all amazing things! Some, that weren't even on my list at the beginning of the year, turned out to be some of the biggest and best things that has ever happened to me. I will transfer the goals I didn't accomplish to my new goals list for the new year, and now I know what I didn't do to make things happen, so I can change it now. All blessings and reflections.

So now I'll ask you; What is going to set you apart in 2017? How will you turn it around for yourself and truly make yourself proud?

"We need to lift ourselves up, as well as lift up each other."

I encourage you guys to take these last few days of 2016 and try some self-reflection. Find a quiet spot at home, light your favorite candle, and grab a glass of wine. Sit there and write down all of your accomplishments this year and then next to that, write everything you would like to accomplish in 2017. Then, if you're like me and my husband, turn it into a vision board and hang it on the wall as a constant reminder all year long. With all of the negativity surrounding us in the world right now, taking this time for yourself is more important now than ever. We NEED to lift ourselves up, as well as lift up each other. I will be sharing some of the things I've learned/accomplished in 2016 at a later date, and feel free to let me know how this exercise has helped you.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas! XOXO