In closing out 2023, I would like to take a minute to reflect on the positive things that happened to me. In May I started going to church and absolutely fell in love with Jesus. I was water baptized in June without my family, joined some small groups, started my relationship with Jesus through reading the Gospel, started weight training, learned how to budget and spend my money more wisely, dove into some really amazing books, and started making connections with people in my church. I was also delivered from my suicidal ideation, and I am gaining power over my PTSD. This year, as much of a blessing as it was, also sucked. I realized that I am not very nice to myself, and I felt so alone this year. But looking to 2024, I think it will be a tremendous year. I’ve already grown so much in my faith, and built such an amazing relationship with Jesus, and I finally wrote down my deepest secrets so that I can work on them. I want to work on leaning even more on Jesus as I go through hard times, boundaries, letting people go, prayer, and self-love (especially not comparing myself to others). I pray that all of us can leave 2023 behind and look forward to the coming year. I believe it will be a powerful year for all of us. I used to never reflect on the past year and look forward to the next year. I used to think it was stupid. But this year has really taught me that being happy and positive is a conscious effort. And there is power in taking something negative in your brain, and either saying it out loud or writing it down. So, God-willing, this will be the year I take great strides in taking care of myself. And I pray you all do the same. Don’t compare to anyone. Compare yourself to who you were last year, last month, yesterday. Don’t settle. If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward. Keep going. Keep growing. Happy Near Year. God bless you.
With light and love, Lyss
12/31/23