2023 Mantra: Catching Flights, Not Feelings

2023 Mantra: Catching Flights and Not Feelings

I went into my closet and grabbed the largest suitcase I owned and placed it in the middle of my bedroom floor, then I sat down next to it. As I began to ponder, I searched deep within myself, and I began to pack my suitcase. The first thing I pulled out was a sleeve of depression, and next was a pantleg of anxiety. I neatly placed them in the suitcase, making room for the dress of negativity and the skirt of stress. I reached down deeper into my soul and pulled out a string of feelings that consisted of not being good enough, feeling overwhelmed, insecurities, and suicidal thoughts. After that came the words of the naysayers who said I would never make it, the thoughts of the man that destroyed my self-esteem and beat me, physically and mentally…leaving the scars of abuse across my mentality. The more things that I pulled out, the more I packed them all in the suitcase until it was finally full. 

As I zipped the suitcase up tightly, tears began to roll down my face. These were not tears of grief, nor were they tears of sadness. These tears were the tears of joy from the feeling of relief that came over me. I was finally FREE! I’m FREE! Thank God, I’m FREE at last! So, I went back into my closet and pulled out another suitcase. I placed the second suitcase in the middle of the floor next to the first. I began to freely pack it with the thoughts, visions, and goals that God had given me. I slowly packed it with strategic ideas, grace, mercy, love, and kindness.

 As I packed them into the suitcase, I recalled adding James 1:2-8 and started counting everything I had been through as joy, because it has made me the woman I am today.  Isaiah 54:17 also came to mind, and I really started believing that no one and nothing could stop me but me. I know that I walk among evil each day, but God, my Elohim, is with me.  I continued to meditate as I packed this second suitcase. With both bags in the middle of my floor, I received a notification that I could only bring one bag with me on this journey into 2023. I had to choose. Hmm, do I choose my past or my future? I closed my eyes and smiled, and I chose my future. I yelled loudly, “grace and mercy we’re moving forward into 2023!”   

There are times we must decide to let go of what happened to us. We must choose not to allow our past to follow us. Our past is only meant to strengthen us and teach us. Some lessons are meant to be taught by going through the things we have experienced. No one said the journey is supposed to be easy. However, if you put your mind to it, and STAND, you will overcome each obstacle that comes your way. 

I recently learned if you believe it, you can achieve it. Place your goals and your expected outcomes of what you want for 2023 into your suitcase. Meditate on each goal, on each outcome, and strategically pack them in your suitcase as you prepare to embark on the journey of 2023.  

I hope to encourage someone not to stay stuck in, nor on, the past but to focus on their future. I encourage you NOT to surround yourself with negativity. Surround yourself with like-minded and positive people, reaching and climbing higher. Soar through the skies; believe that you can fly! Believe you can be all that you dream to be!  

You’ve got this! Let’s soar together! I pray for you as you may pray for me…women building other women for God's Kingdom! 

Yours truly,  

Chevon Nicole  

B.O.S.S (Building On Self Success)