Happy Self-Love Sunday my loves!
It is the month of November, which is one of my favorite months. This is because Thanksgving is right around the corner along and kicks off the holiday season and all its associated joy and love. And as Thanksgiving approaches this week, I hope that you all enjoy your Thanksgiving. Eat good, have lots of laughs, and catch those black Friday sales if that is what you choose to do.
I think it is so important for us to reflect on what/who we are thankful for. We should do this whenever we can, not just when Thanksgiving rolls around. However, Thanksgiving allows us to hone in and express our thankfulness. And I truly have a lot to be thankful for. I have so many people who love me and care about me and vice versa whether they are my family, friends, mentors, etc. I have so many people in my corner and I literally have no idea what I would do without any of them.
Today, I was blessed and THANKFUL to have the opportunity to go to church with my best friend since the sixth grade and my aunt. And church truly blessed me and put some things into perspective for me. I’m thankful for that message because it was well needed and as you continue to read, you will see why. The message was entitled, “Power to Change” and if anyone wants me to share or discuss the topic further, please feel free to reach out to me because I took a lot of notes!
“You can’t grow in isolation, you grow in community.” – Bishop Dale Bronner
I feel the idea of community goes hand in hand with the whole theme of being thankful. In a previous blog, I discussed how no man is an island. Even if we try to be, sometimes we have to rely on others. Someone else may be able to help you grow, get some things off your chest, or even conqueror a problem you had no idea how to handle. See, I am the type of person who tries to deal and endure on my own. But just as I said I am thankful for those people who care about me, I have to allow them to share their love. And I can do that by opening up or simply letting them be there for me in times of need, stress, or distress. I am an introvert with extrovert tendencies, but there is no greater feeling than knowing if something were to go down, I have a whole army behind me ready to aid me in handling any situation.
There is growth in community, because you are taught how to deal with others. You learn how to deal with various personalities, problem management, and you learn how to let others love you. It’s okay to not always have your puzzle pieces together. And it’s even more okay to let someone (not just any & everybody though) aid you in putting the pieces together. No one makes it on their own. Celebrities or people of high-profile have a team of people who help them whenever they go perform, speak, host, the works. Each person is vital to their event. And I know that the forerunner of these teams are grateful for all those people who put in work for them. So, why can’t we be thankful for our community? Whether it’s your family, friends, significant other, whatever. Each person plays an important role in your life and I know you’re thankful for all that they do for you, no matter how big or small.
On this Self-Love Sunday and throughout your week (and so forth), I challenge you to reflect on who and what you’re thankful for. Maybe shoot them a little message, get them a small token of appreciation, or the next time you pray call out what/who you are thankful for. And remember, that without the people in your life, you wouldn’t be able to grow and glow the way that you have thus far. It is such a joy to be able to be thankful, so express your thankfulness whenever you can! You may make someone’s day.
This message is very important for people to hear. It makes me think along a message I once heard a year ago. The speaker told the story of God creating the world and making man. The Lord himself saw it fit that we humans are better with community. That’s when he made women. It’s one of the first things God saw that needed fixing.
We were not put on this earth to be alone. The community is where we draw our strength from when we are weak. I’ve personally learned that the “do it on your own” mentality doesn’t work.. for long. You may handle a few things here and there and feel self reliant, but with a team a task that takes you 1 day to complete can be done in a matter of minutes or hours.
I appreciate this message. I hope it reaches out and reassured someone like it has reassured me. Now more than ever we need our Godly community and good hearted people to step up during Times like this when loving others is seemingly dangerous.
I am blessed each time I read Janna ‘s messages of encouragement. I am the blessed Aunt that shared worship with her today. Janna inspires me to think, love, reflect, hope, pray, share, etc. May each of you ( including myself) be rejuvenated each time you read her messages and believe that a wonderful- blessed life is yours through the blessings from God. Have an amazingly blessed Thanksgiving with your friends and family.