It’s a wrap! As summer comes to an end, we prepare for another season—and for many of us educators and our students, that means a brand-new school year.
Every year, I feel like I blink and summer is gone, and this year was no different. My summer was filled with plenty of work, and while our family didn’t take a big getaway vacation, that’s okay.
As a new season approaches, I already know it is going to be a busy one, so I am reminded by God to know when to rest and to do things in His strength, not my own.
So before diving into the busyness ahead, I wanted to pause and share a little recap of my simple summer—through a few highlights and snapshots I captured along the way.
Today, I decided to take off from work to rest and allow myself to grieve. I recently lost my furbaby and cousin. And this season has seemed, if not the most difficult, the most straining.
However, when I saw today’s prompt, the answer immediately came and I had to respond.
“What’s the oldest thing I am wearing today?”
my skin
and my scars
In my body dwells my spirit, and my body is covered with my skin. I wear my skin daily. It has been with me since I was in my mother’s womb. Unfortunately, some parts of my skin have scars, and so does my soul.
My skin and my scars have plenty of testimonies from trials, tests, and time. So, I try to care for my skin with not just cleaning and lotion, but with God’s Word and promises.
I have a lot of scars: some are visible, and some are not. But they will not be despised. Some have healed. Others will heal and become less visible over time. And, some will remain visible but remind me that I am human. These scars will also remind me that I overcame and persevered with God’s grace and love.
As I am walking my dog, I notice the frosted morning dew and am reminded of the scripture that God will renew my strength. In this season, I need strength and this reminder daily.
Psalms 110:3b NLT … and your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew.
Many people are eagerly awaiting the holidays with joy. They are excited and preparing for the holidays with cheer. But for some people, the holidays are not a joyous time. Some people dread the holidays and understandably because they have lost loved ones and for some this lost occurred around the holidays. Feelings of grief each year during these times may be inevitable. Other times people dread the holidays because they do not have the things they need or want for the holidays. And sometimes, people experience the holiday or seasonal blues because of mental health struggles, their environment, feeling overwhelmed and burned out from constant stress, or other forms of grief and disappointments.
No matter what the reason is, seasonal blues or holiday blues is real. Many people experience seasonal blues around this time because the days get shorter and there is less sunlight. And many people deal with holiday blues which is sadness, loneliness, or other myriad of emotions duting the holiday season. Healing is a continual process and overcoming the blues does not happen overnight but here are some things to help you get through the holidays and Winter season.
Check out the latest video on holiday/seasonal blues.
Autumn a.k.a Fall is now my new favorite season!!!!! I love the rich colors, the Fall Season staples like pumpkin spice, Apple Cider, Apple and Sweet Potatoe Pies, and warm sweaters. I also like the sunny, brisk weather. I also like the transformation of nature that reminds us that change can be beautiful and letting go is crucial at times.
Here are some photos of my Autumn season so far. Some of my fall looks, fall foods, drinks and places I have experienced so far.
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving now!!!!
While you check out the photos, I also have videos up on YouTube.
And I also want to know what is your favorite things about Fall?
Note: All photos taken by me except one. Tannika Nikeya
What new projects or arts and crafts will you be working on for the Fall season? Have you started to put up Fall decorations or even your Christmas decorations?
I am so proud to introduce my new book, Let’sTake This One Day At A Time Planner! Just in time for Christmas and the new year. And being released in a season where I have been going through a lot as well as feeling up and down. So, we pushing through and looking forward to a new year!
To continue with the theme of my book, Bring It To The Surface: Poetry & Journal, I want to further encourage others with a special planner. I discovered that healing is continuous and living must be intentional.
Take a look!
Let’s Take This One Day At A Time Planner helps you to be intentional in taking one day at a time. This planner helps you to not only plan your week and stay organized, but also continue your healing journey and growth by being intentional in five areas: prayer, goal setting, self-care, gratitude, and reflection.
I read the title of the article and just had to click on it.
I am so glad that Momma Biles indeed felt safe to express herself about her daughter’s break, sabbatical, temporary journey without gymnastics. It was indeed a “fun exchange” between her and her mother.
However, I felt led to say a prayer for Simone Biles and Momma Biles.
I believe Simone took a break to not only give her body a rest but for her mental health also. And I am glad she did this for herself.
This space of time will allow her several things. One, it gives her the time to refresh and heal her body. I am no gymnasts but I am sure their bodies go through a lot.
Two, this break will give her the time to practice self-care at a certain rhythm: self-care at the rhythm or pace she needs and desires. And not just self-care physically, but emotionally and mentally.
Three, she is young, and this time off can help her to figure out what she wants the next season of her life to look like. It is her destiny or purpose to be a gymnast but I believe we as humans can only see a small picture of things as God sees the bigger picture, and He has far greater than what we can ever imagine. God has more for her to do and be. Let her explore those things as God leads her so she can fulfill her full destiny.
And listen ladies or gents, it is never too late to find or create space to discover yourself and the rest of the pieces to your destiny. You may need to create space just to rest up and get some things in order. So, it doesn’t matter how old you are. If you need a pause, do so and with purpose.
As for Momma Biles, I pray she realizes that although Simone is a part of her destiny or purpose, God has more for her also. This is a great time for her, too, to explore how she wants the next season of her life to look. Rest Momma Biles, also. All of us need periods of time where we rest, allow God to restore us, and refresh us. Find some new things you like to do and see old things you put down that you like to do. Know that God is the source of your destiny and the source of your fulfillment. And keep an eye out for the Lord, sending you more young ladies to inspire and motivate towards greatness. But in the meantime, allow your child to discover herself, heal, grow, and prepare for the next season (most likely, not that you are not).
Right now, you may be at the part of your journey where you have discovered that you are wanting more or even less. You may have lost your motivation or inspiration. You may be burnt out or overwhelmed. You may be leaking emotionally and much stuff is coming to the surface waiting for your discovery, acknowledgement, and healing. You may be comparing or desperately trying to create a bucket list. Your insecurities may be screaming and your career may be looking at a different you than when you first started, causing you to feel a change is necessary. Whether you are 22 or 42, or even 62, you are coming to the realization that there is more to life but the only one that can fulfill you is God. And the only one who needs you to heal the most is you because you are with you and in your skin 24-7.
I think when you get to this part of the journey, you are really looking for you. Who are you really? And what do you need here on out as you heal, grow and prepare for new seasons in your life. It is time to get back to self. Meet your authentic self. See yourself the way God does. Live life where His voice is first and yours is second.
Getting back to self requires unlearning old things that need to be unlearned. It requires healing, humility, honesty, and patience. It requires also analyzing and sometimes resetting your motives and intentions. It requires self-care, self-love, and setting boundaries. It requires being vulnerable and healing the little person inside from the trauma you have endured since birth or even since the womb. It requires time and work as well as acknowledging all of you, including your flaws and parts that you feel are unlovable. It requires gratitude and making peace with self where necessary. It requires allowing God to help you to navigate through your healing journey.
It requires you to be present and you to be you, the you God knew before you were even in your mother’s womb and the you He desired and destined for you to be.
Feel free to leave your comments below. And if you need prayer, please indicate so and we will pray for you.
Tannika Nikeya 