Last year, during my birthday, T and K urged me to re-find my true self. Following my mom’s sudden death and my divorce, I found myself a bit hopeless and feeling lost in my role as a single mom and teacher. I was physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.
At the same time, I read THE YEAR OF YES by Shonda Rhimes, and it inspired me to challenge myself to my own special year. Any and every opportunity that came up that I normally would rationalize my way out of and make excuses to decline, I promised myself I would say “yes” to throughout 2017. My main goal was to travel again so that I did not feel trapped in Tallahassee, away from family and friends, and so that I could conquer the anxiety of driving that started after my mom’s car accident.
This challenge literally changed my life for the better. I am Becky Jo again. Like a wounded animal, I am slowly learning to trust and, even more, to risk everything for true intimacy.
Since January, I have switched careers and gotten a promotion; gained several new professional mentors; become a stronger advocate for myself and the kids; fallen in love; experienced my first long-distance relationship; sought medical help for the anxiety; and continued therapy with the kids. I have traveled to Washington, DC; Vidalia, where I got “bitten” by a Water Moccasin with Nikki and helped host a baby shower for Azat’s wife; Memphis and Graceland; Tunica, Mississippi; Nashville, Pulaski and Franklin, Tennessee; all over Alabama, where I saw a covered bridge for the first time, found an arrow head in the back yard, visited the Air and Space Museum, toured the Hank Williams Museum, and ate dinner as the sun set over the Tennessee River; Cape Canaveral; West Palm; Boca Raton; Tampa; Atlanta, where we saw a Braves game in their new stadium and tubed the famed Chattahoochee; North Carolina; and Orlando, where the kids and I had an amazing time at Magic Kingdom.
I attended my first praise and worship concert. I watched the Kentucky Head Hunters right in front of me while swimming in beautiful Smith Lake. I saw Luke Bryan in concert twice, once back stage, where he threw a guitar pick to me and laughed when I let it drop. I saw my favorite singer, Sam Hunt, backstage, too.
I hosted my first dove hunt and sat in a tree stand for the first time.
I became a fan of spray tan and ate my first oyster.
I spent Christmas Day in two places at once, at the Flora-Bama Bar.
I feel more at peace than I have ever felt before, and I am more comfortable in my own skin than I have ever been. I am also a better, more patient mom and, hopefully, a more generous and loving friend.
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and prayed for me and who has humored my #yearofyes posts. This year has been incredible. I cannot wait to see what the next one holds. Ideas anyone?
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Don't Call Me Sugar! 