“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” —Romans 12:2

AUTHENTIC

According to Google, “authenticity means you’re true to your own personality, values, and spirit, regardless of the pressure that you’re under to act otherwise. You’re honest with yourself and with others, and you take responsibility for your mistakes. Your values, ideals, and actions align.”

Friends—

I am wishing all of you a happy, healthy and blessed 2024!

I chose “My One Word” because it is what I most want to be with everyone I meet. It’s no big secret that most of us want to be liked, be considered funny or smart, creative or philosophical, just to name a few. I sincerely believe I’m living my best life right now. I like the person I am right now! I know that I have made some “not so great” choices in my life, on many occasions I tried to be the person I thought the world wanted me to be; or at least be the person that others would like to be friends with. I have met a lot of very inspiring individuals in my life and by inspiring I mean, they made a lasting impression on my soul. Some good and some were a bit prickly but what I remember the most is how these individuals made me feel.

Do You Ever Just Want To Play A Memory Over And Over, Because Of How It Makes You Feel? I Sure Do…

When I was in first grade, I decided I was going to quit school! I don’t remember all the details, I was only 6! But, the part I remember is being taken to school after I purposely missed the bus, got a spanking with a switch from the walnut tree in our front yard. My teacher telling me I was not old enough to quit school, so in the coat closet, I bit my teacher on her knee! Some kids have the terrible twos, I apparently I was a late bloomer, I had the terrible sixes!! I look back and I am thankful that my parents loved me enough to teach me responsibility and respect at such an early age. Little did my parents realize, this would lead me to spending four more years in school by attending college after high school graduation.

When I was 13, my parents let me go to the movie with a boy! And, they even let me see “Grease” and it was rated “G” when it was first released. I went with a boy that I was hopelessly devoted to! Pun intended! This was a lesson in trust, my parents were pretty cool looking back.

The game of softball from the age of five throughout my 30’s I loved playing this game. I learned countless lessons from participating in this sport. Teamwork, character, motivation, selflessness, personal responsibility, management skills, patience, dignity…I also learned about trust and respect. My parents, especially my mom supported me through all these years. She attended nearly every game I ever played, what a blessing! She was always my biggest fan! These memories are pretty spectacular.

High School graduation, could not wait for it to be over because I was missing out on a softball game! As soon as it was possible to leave the ceremony, I was off to the game!

College, freshman year…I was literally in awe of the world outside of the small corner I grew up in. I loved college! I met two of my oldest and dearest friends during that time in my life. They have supported me and loved me for no other reason than they liked and loved me. I absolutely cherish my friendships with them. They have never made me feel inadequate, unwanted or imperfect. In fact, they loved me long before I loved myself.

“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”

—Proverbs 27:9

Adulting, I have loved and lost love; and I am a better person because of the losses. I’m grateful for the opportunities I had to love other people. Some of life’s lessons I learned much too late to be able salvage some of the relationships, but I don’t regret them…only wishing I had made better choices. The heart wants, what the heart wants; they say…but it definitely does not come with any instructions. Hindsight is 20/20, but the journey and the experiences we go through; I believe makes us better human beings.

So, reminiscing is good for a while but not a destination. Here’s to the journey of 2024, keep moving forward, explore where God is leading you. I’m so looking forward to…

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.” —Isaiah 43:18-19

~Charlotte, Striving To Live A Genuine Authentic Life, As A Child Of God