Thirty Nine Reasons to Celebrate Life

Thirty Nine (Years Old), today.

Wow.

Here it is I am walking into the last year of my thirties and I honestly feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be and surrounded by the most amazing people as I make my way through life. I thank God for the life that I live, not because it is perfect, but because it is so good.

Let me just brag on God for a minute…

My career took a swift and unexpected shift about a year ago and I am literally waking up to an answered prayer every morning. I closed on my new home on February 17, 2023. I self published my third book a few months back. Behind closed doors I’ve found peace when it comes to certain situations I’ve experienced. While there are many things I am still working through, I can’t help but be grateful and also proud of myself for letting go in the name of peace and freedom from the past.

In full transparency, there’s also been some hard things. Within the last year my friendship group looks different. I had to accept the fact that certain friendships have run its course. Frankly, we as people change over time and sometimes friendships end not because something specific transpired but because it just simply happens. There’s also the fact that friendships have seasons as well and time will tell what things look like. I’ve also come face to face with hard truths about myself through therapy. I’ve found myself starring my faults, my issues, my sins, and my hang ups right in the face so that I could (and continue) to understand who I am versus who I want to be.

Speaking of therapy….I’ve concluded that I am a bit of a perfectionist and this unconscious desire to always get things right or not want to disappoint others has left me either feeling like a failure at times or simply emotionally exhausted. The fact of the matter is, while perfection doesn’t live over here, the idea of it has. I am really trying to be mindful of the unnecessary pressure I put on myself and to also set boundaries where necessary. I am happy to report that every single day the distance between perfect and acceptance/grace/patience with myself grows wider and wider.

I am very much more self aware in my thirties than I was in my twenties. With that said, I truly believe that often times we find ourselves going in circles because we miss the lessons we’re supposed to learn. I can tell you that my twenty year old self was going round and round when it came to many things but the woman I am today is not the least bit interested in wasting time!

Real talk, at this point in life wy walk with God has revealed just how good God is. Often times we say how good God is when He gives us something we want but the goodness of God is not limited to a yes. The goodness of God is wrapped up in His kindness and grace and unconditional love that He gives us daily. The goodness of God is wrapped up in His word. I'm grateful for His love towards me and I will continue to share who He is and what He continues to do in my life. Sorry not sorry!

So what’s the plan for this next year? To live.

What that means for me is continuing to fight for my joy but now the strategy is crystal clear. The way to get there is to seek God like I never have before. I want to see my relationship with God bloom well and I understand that to see my connection with Christ blossom is going to require sacrifice. If I can thrive in knowing who God is, then that puts everything else into perspective!

I am launching a business this fall that is really a dream coming to reality. I am going to take better care of myself cause your girl has got to put down the snacks once and for all. I want to write more and that includes my first fiction book. I want to nurture the relationships in my life, old and new. I want to laugh and try new things as often as I can.

The last year of my thirties for me is an opportunity to make up for lost time. Over the years I’ve been so overwhelmed at times that I couldn’t focus on the things that set my soul on fire. On the flip side, I’m still here. I’m alive and well! There is so much to be grateful for. I’ve got thirty nine reasons to wake up each morning with a grateful heart. I’ve got thirty nine reasons to know that God has a plan for my life. I’ve got thirty nine reasons to know that God is real, His grace is sufficient, and His plans are good and beautiful for my life.

Cheers to 39!

Krys