Scripture
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
-Phillipians 3:13-14
My word for the upcoming year is ABUNDACE.
The promise of abundance is always there; however, our mindset can sometimes hinder us. Let’s move into the new year with a mindset of abundance and take actions that reflect that abundance in our lives.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
-John 10:10
Let’s take a walk down memory lane—not to 1999, but this past year and two months. I want to discuss my achievements, investments, and personal resolve, while also encouraging you to reflect on your own accomplishments, investments, and determination. My hope is that we can continue to thrive in every area of our lives. We may not be perfect, but what truly matters is our willingness to improve.
Achievements
Looking back over the years, I am grateful for so much despite my challenges. In November 2023, I decided to bet on myself and embrace fear. I realized I am responsible for my own actions and can only control myself. With that understanding, I committed to improving myself, regardless of my environment. I decided to “bet on me”.
I’ve always been optimistic, loving people and, most importantly, God. Additionally, I began to ask how much I genuinely invested in becoming my best self. These thoughts led me to elevate my nursing blog, All One Nurse, by starting a podcast. I had the privilege of hosting two episodes with Nurse Converse, a podcast by Nurse.org. Following that, I launched The All One Nurse Podcast. The first season is published, featuring incredible nurse guest speakers who shared their professional journeys, personal insights, patient perspectives, and educational insights on mental health, stroke advocacy, trauma recovery, nutrition, fitness, and more.
Investments
Speaking of investing in myself, I made personal investments through online programs. The first program, Elevate Academy, focused on self-awareness and identified the barriers preventing us from being our best selves. For me, it was the challenge of passivity. Being nice is one thing, but being passive is another. This program helped me understand my identity as an empath and equipped me to set boundaries, avoid overextending myself, and not fear conflict—embracing the power of “No.”
The second program I enrolled in was Marketplace Mandate. It emphasized that not everyone is called to be a pastor or hold high positions in a church, but we can all contribute as believers in our different roles in society. This program revealed my spiritual gifts of showing mercy, empathy, and hospitality. I realized that my inclination to help others is not just for their benefit; it’s a part of who I am, shaped by my ability to understand others when they are struggling. Hence, my role as a nurse and Christian blogger!
Resolution
This 2024 year has been a significant period of growth for me, presenting challenges I never anticipated—particularly in my relationship with my husband and my career goals, which are still unfolding. I’m now focused on creating a trustworthy team and overcoming the mindset that keeps many people from pursuing their goals out of fear of failure. Mother Teresa says it best: “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”
Moving Forward
Let’s shift the focus to you. What accomplishments, goals, and challenges come to mind as you reflect on this past year? How did you navigate those experiences? Were the outcomes as you expected, or are they still ongoing?
Investing in myself and deepening my understanding of who I am and my relationship with God empowers me to pursue my calling with clarity and confidence. I often remind myself, “I am an educator; act like it.” I strive to be confident in my knowledge while being empathetic, clear and direct in my communication. I know my worth as a child of God, and I trust Him to guide me through all aspects of life—whether in marriage, parenting, self-discovery, or connecting with others.
I am reminded that great things can come from small places like Parkin, Arkansas! It doesn’t matter where you are located or your background; what matters is having a mindset geared toward success and believing that nothing is wasted. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As for Love_Goodmorning_Coffee, I plan to continue writing more devotionals and inspirational posts on Facebook and Instagram to encourage and uplift those who are struggling with their faith.
Did you enjoy this blog post? Leave a comment below.
Happy New Year,
Shenell
Subscribe and check out the LGC Amazon List and Hope Sweater!
