As the World Reopens, Lessons in Gratitude

Allow me to be transparent, before the ‘COVID-19 Quarantine’ was issued, I was running myself ragged; ripping and running and on the verge of burnout. Life was happening too fast. A lot of ‘busyness’ in both my professional and personal life all at once was challenging to manage. All the ‘busyness’ prevented me from savoring the simplicity of life, addressing unresolved issues, prioritizing my healing journey and restoring covenant relationships.

One day, as I sat in traffic during my daily commute, I recall thinking to myself, “I’m overworked, unappreciated and stressed!” “What can I do differently?” “What direction do I want to take my life??” I attempted to plan the next Bella Luve’ Events Women’s Retreat in my head, but it was challenging because I was mentally and physically exhausted from work, unhappy and downright stressed out! To host a retreat, I wanted to show up as the best version of Rhonda. I daydreamed of taking a vacation to the mountains or an island for my upcoming birthday. I envisioned a week off, with no concrete agenda other than to focus on me and do absolutely nothing! Perhaps, a month later, the news of the Corona virus spreading was rampant and in a matter of days, Georgia was issued a ‘Stay at Home’ mandate to prevent the spread of the virus. While I’m completely sensitive to all of the loss and turmoil due to the pandemic, I have the utmost respect for the global fear we were all experiencing. Yet, the complete pause in life was just what I needed.

While 2020 was a strange, tumultuous year of loss, uncertainty, racial tension and unjust there’s also been blessings and several moments of Gratitude. Personally, I’ve finally slowed down. I’m reading more, asking myself uncomfortable questions, and allowing my heart a greater say in every decision I make. I’ve become (even) more spiritual too, redefining who I am and how I’ll live going forward—meditating, reflecting, and determining how I’ll show up in the world post COVID-19. 

I refuse to allow all the lessons I learned in 2020 to fade away.

I’ve redefined my definition of ‘Friend’ship, reassessed my sense of ‘loyalty’, acknowledged the importance of Reciprocity and vulnerability in friendships and faced the truth about how I need to be valued and respected in ALL my relationships. During the pandemic, I vacationed at Panama City Beach twice with my sister-friend and her family. I’ve severed ties with a toxic friendship (while acknowledging my role in the toxicity), reprioritized my time because time is currency and I’ve created healthy boundaries in acquaintanceships. 

What I’m Grateful For....

I welcomed the quarantine – it was a much needed break! During this time of ‘solitude‘ I was embellished in peace and celebrated the opportunity to just be still. I’m grateful for God’s Favor, Grace & Mercy on my life. Grateful for my Daughter, my Faith/Spirituality, good health, sound mind, financial abundance, a beautiful home and a nice reliable car. I’m grateful for the daily morning prayer call, the evening strolls through my subdivision or on the nature trail with Babygirl and the fur baby. I am grateful for the extra quality time to deepen my Mother/Daughter relationship. I’m grateful for the time to read, write in my journal, listen to music & podcasts, hone my cooking skills and play card/board games. I’m grateful for the space to engage in more self-care. I’m grateful for the clarity I gained on the direction of my entrepreneurial pursuits, career, friendships and the confidence to trust my intuition (listen & act accordingly) as I maneuver through life. And most importantly, I’m grateful for the Self-love, loyalty and relationship I re-established with myself.

Moving forward…..

As the world reopens and people grow comfortable with navigating through life without a mask and the world seemingly appears to return to ‘normal’, I’ll be more intentional about who, what and where I expend my energy – because Everything is Energy and Energy is Everything. I’ll be Conscious. Purposeful. Intentional about who has access to me.

May God continue to bless us and may this experience teach us to extend grace and kindness to ourselves and others indefinitely. As for me, I’m committed to remaining in a constant state of gratitude and resolve to never take anything or anyone for granted. I’ll remain GRATEFUL for it all.

I encourage and challenge you to do the same. And Celebrate Life in the midst!