2023 Wrapped

Allow me to start by saying that if you are reading this, I truly thank you for choosing to be here. Your support and your interest in my offerings truly keep me inspired. I truly appreciate you!

As far as 2023, chiiiiile where do I begin? To start, please forgive me for my extended absence. What began as a Q1 sabbatical quickly escalated to a much needed full-year sabbatical.

The truth is, life did its damn thing on me in 2023. The year started with the devastating and sudden loss of my Aunt Monica, my mother’s youngest sister and an aunt of mine who was present for every cherished moment in my life. She was truly one-of-one - an unforgettable spirit and one of my biggest cheerleaders. She believed in me during times where I did not know how to believe in myself, she celebrated all of my wins, she consoled me during my losses, she supported me during my times of need, and she loved me like no other. In a small immediate family like mine, losing Aunt Monica was a paradigm shift and my world was significantly rocked by her sudden transition.

In addition, I left a job that no longer complimented my professional desires nor my mental wellness, resulting in uncomfortable financial woes that made me insecure about the value that I had to offer to this audience, to you. On many fronts, my reality was shaken up and I struggled to find confidence and peace in it.

With each blow came this sensation of my life being lightless and that feeling remained present for majority of the year. The only energy that I had to give was that of which was necessary for my survival (and barely that). As someone who typically serves as an anchor, a beacon of hope and strength and “togetherness”, and even a source of light for others, this stoic and isolated sensation that had overcome me was crippling. It was truly the most devastating space that I’ve been in to date, but I’m so incredibly grateful to have experienced it.

The power of endurance is in your innate ability to get through hardship and ascend to new heights that you didn’t think you could reach. It’s in being able to find strength to persevere through times that feel like they will break you. And as you breakthrough, your armor of endurance becomes that much more potent to carry you through the next season - since life inevitably comes with seasons. I’m grateful that I lived through challenges once before because it was the fact that I made it through those challenges that provided me faith and hope to be able to do it again. It was my endurance that allowed me to keep my head high and be steadfast in my purpose.

2023 was one of those years that made me - not because everything went perfectly well but because I was tested in ways that led me to decide if I would rise or fall. And so, I rose (thank you Ms. Angelou) because my belief system and vision of and for myself required me to. Because my perspective allowed me to realize that for every unfortunate event that occurred in 2023, there were some amazing blessings that I could bask into instead. Because during every season of challenge is an opportunity to choose optimism and peace instead. And so, I did.

Thank you God for shining light on me everyday - a subtle reminder that I was gifted another opportunity to choose joy in life. Thank you 2023 for imprinting an unforgettable but also undefining time in my life. And thank you to each of you who have made it to this sentence - I look forward to reconnecting with you all in Q1 2024!

Always,

Shakel ✨