Happy New Year!

It is truly wonderful to consider a New Beginning every year. It usually allows us the break in our mindsets to say “I’m leaving all the bad stuff in last year, period. It doesn’t get to come into the new year.”

We are a little more positive and a little more hopeful, at least for the first two weeks. Then suddenly, old habits we left in the previous year knock on our door and beg to come in again. Things that seemed organized quizzicality get chaotic and all of a sudden we are again struggling as we near  the end of our rope.

Well hang on, because you really don’t have to wait until next year to get that freedom from failure again.

The truth is we actually are promised a new beginning every single day!

I am sharing this promise for myself as much as for you. If you have been a reader for anytime, you have not heard from me in a very long while. So much has happened over that time it is difficult to imagine going through it all. Some of it was family, some of it work, some was the blog being hacked (twice) all while we are buying and selling and preparing to sell homes.

This is the first time that I refused to give up my blog despite not posting for months at a time. It is not always easy to determine if you are in God’s will or not. I questioned, with all of the opposition coming at me and especially this blog, whether I simply was not getting the message from God that this was not the path I was to take. However, blogging encompasses so much that I truly love and am passionate about.

I get to be creative. Making graphics is one of my favorite things to do. I could literally do that all day long.

I get to teach! I’ve taught since I was very young. Before I even had children, I was a Daisy Leader, Sunday school teacher and I have continued teaching ever since in non-traditional ways. Sharing my expertise in decorating, my experiences, and what I have learned blogging are true fulfillment and joy for me. I am so happy my readers are eager to learn.

I get to grow and learn. Blogging is not an easy and mindless task. You don’t simply open a page and start writing. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that many new bloggers get overwhelmed and give up. I am still learning and I love it.

I get to relate to you my readers. I hope as this year unfolds, more of you choose to connect either through subscribing, signing up for a newsletter or even commenting and following my social accounts. I have had some incredible relationships develop over the last 2 years and I look forward to more.

Last, I get to inspire and influence. That is truly a powerful thing. My words may influence you to try something new, to not give up, to take a new perspective, to give yourself a break.

Someone once told me, “is what you are doing the desire of your heart?” and I said, yes. She responded with God’s Word to me. You know who you are.

Reminded of God’s Word, here I am again. I hope you are happy to have me back and I ask for your prayers in keeping me going. I truly believe that God uses us in these very simple ways. So especially if you are having a tough day, check in and see if there is something that puts a little smile, hope, color, or encouragement in your day.

What are you so passionate about that you hang on despite being at the end of your rope?