2 Lessons of 2022!

To say that 2021 was a year is an understatement, yet as the 22nd hour of 2022 rolled in, I realized this year is already sharing critical nuggets.

The first of the lessons was to STAY READY.

?While many have declared the importance of being ready as critical to success, I think we can agree that NO one says it as poignantly as Snoop Dog, and yet how many of us spend time ‘playing catchup’?

?The importance of staying ready was demonstrated during the New Year’s Eve virtual experience at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. As a fan of the music and ministry of Mary Mary, I was excited, and yet I was unprepared for the amazing reminder that I would witness.

As the music flowed into Mary Mary’s classic?Yesterday, I sat poised to become a virtual backup singer when Tina, the powerhouse of the duo, appeared to have lost her voice. What I believe tells of her generosity as a consummate professional she passed her microphone to an unknown backup singer.?

Can I tell you that simple gesture allowed millions globally to recognize the importance of being prepared even if you are in a support capacity since you never know when you will be called on to lead?

Stepping into the center stage or a leadership position often looks effortless but requires intentional preparation, especially in a crisis when others cannot perform and execute. The grace and powerful voice that was shared not only was a blessing to the stage but further demonstrated that no amount of practice is wasted and when the time is right all you need to do is breathe and say YES!

The second lesson 2022 has taught me is the importance of taking care of myself. As a lifelong learner, avid reader, and consummate insomniac, I often fail to get enough rest. As 2022 rolled in and the weather shifted from unseasonably warn to a wintery mix, I found myself curled up on the couch with my children watching a trilogy on Netflix. After the first 40 minutes, I cannot tell you any of the characters or the plots, but I can confirm 5+ hours later, I was relaxed and, once hydrated, realized how important it is to sit still and rest.

?While there is much I am planning on and looking forward to for 2022, I am even more intentional about family time and making sure I am taking much-needed time to rest and recharge for the journey ahead.

While I still love the Mary Mary version, Yesterday, I was reminded to approach 2022 with a sense of urgency, knowing that ALL is possible and that my efforts are never in vain as long as I STAY READY!

Happy New Year and All the Best!