2021 has been an interesting year, though for many of us, it looked exactly like 2020, SMH. The thing that was different for me this year though, was my foot injury (insert sad face). As many of you know, I randomly rolled my ankle over a buckeye while running in the park. I realize some do not live in the great state of Ohio, and therefore, have no idea what I’m talking about, LOL, but buckeyes are these rather large nuts that grow on trees out here in the Midwest. So anyways, after nearly 15 years of running distance, one decided to take me out on a sunny Thursday afternoon in Cleveland.

Now, I did not do what I was supposed to do after the fact, (like go to the doctor, get it examined by a professional, and rest). However, I did mildly wrap it, ice it and elevate it. Without going into too many details (that I have excessively expressed here on this blog during the journey of navigating this injury) I’ll just say, I FINALLY made it on the other side of healing you guys! It has been over FOUR months, but the ankle is now stable, and I’m walking without any assistance! I don’t even have my brace on most of the time, and I honestly never thought I would see the day!

Have you ever had a problem, and the more you try to fix it, the worse it gets? That was this. The more I thought I was doing to fix my ankle, the worse it got. I realize in hindsight that the root cause was that I didn’t want to rest. I didn’t want to stop. I had finally gotten the green light to go and build this business, and I went full force ahead, kind of like a runner in a race when they hear the gun shot and they just take off. (Just call me Jackie Joyner Kersee, LOL). But God had to remind me that, He is the real goal. Yes, the business is a manifestation of His kingdom being built, and having sustainability in it is a prize, but He is the ultimate prize. I had to be reminded to keep my eyes on Him.

Isn’t it interesting how our eyes drift off of Him so easily and so subtly that we don’t even realize it? I don’t think God put that buckeye in my path, but I do think He used it to teach me a few things.

This weekend I had the pleasure of being interviewed by a woman who I recently connected with (shout out to Sage Da Coach from Outside the Box!). She asked me what I had learned this year from God. I instantly knew, I learned that I need others. I have been so wired to be self-reliant and independent, and a lot of times I need to be, but I am learning that I don’t need to be all the time. There are times I simply will not be able to do things all on my own, and I will need help.

I will need others.

I am now on the tail end of my healing journey. I’m in physical therapy 3x a week. As I mentioned previously, I can now walk freely without assistance, and even did a line dance at a book event last week! But don’t worry, I’m still taking it easy. I definitely do not want a reoccurrence of this experience!

I am so grateful that God made us to heal you guys! I think even our physical healing is a reflection of how we are wired emotionally and mentally. The Father created us to be whole beings. He never wanted us to stay in a state of suffering and pain. We just need to walk out the path He designed for our ultimate healing and manifestation of true identity. That path can look different for each of us, but the ending is the same: healing, wholeness and love.

In other news, did you know that I have a monthly newsletter? You can email me if you would like to receive it, or sign up on my website! Just click on “Blog”, go to any blog post, then scroll down until you see “Join Our Newsletter”! I share all of my updates on events I am selling books at and the latest happenings in authorship! You can also view the latest newsletter on my linktree.

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Have you read “Stories for the Urban Soul” and are eager to dialogue about your favorite characters, lessons learned, and so much more? Well, now you can download 20 Dialogue questions available on my website to discuss with your friends! Just enter your email in the pop up box and its there!

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As always thank you for your support!

SHALOM