2023 Taught Me: Bridging the Gain and the Gap

As part of my wellness journey, I've crafted an annual letter to reflect on the year gone by, serving as a mirror to gauge my growth and aspirations. However, this year, I'm breaking away from this deeply personal tradition to share my reflections with you. Matthew 5:15 reminds us, 'No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket.' It's about illuminating the path for everyone's benefit.

In recent years, my pursuit of learning and evolution has led me to deliberately share my journey, understanding that sharing personal and professional insights can be a beacon for others. This year brought forth profound lessons—walk with me as we explore ten invaluable insights that sculpted my 2023:

1. Embracing Gratitude: Amidst life's uncertainties, I uncovered joy in acknowledging the abundance I possess—a wealth of health, family, intellectual vigor, and a nurturing community.
2. Navigating Loss & Grief: 2023 marked profound losses—a career shift and bidding farewell to a cherished family member. These experiences became the bedrock of my resilience, revealing an inherent strength within.
3. The Power of Forgiveness: Diving deeper into my healing journey, I unearthed the transformative power of forgiveness—letting go of resentment to invite peace and mental clarity. Meditation is medicine, try it!
4. Prioritizing Health & Wellness: Recognizing my self-worth as the paramount asset, I embarked on a transformative self-care journey, prioritizing my physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
5. Rediscovering Community: From deeply conservative beginnings to thriving in diverse global cultures, I found my true belonging among neighbors, creatives, and cultures that connect through shared values.
6. Embracing Unique Gifts: Reflecting on my purpose, I celebrated my distinct strengths—creativity, storytelling, problem-solving, and a fervor for activism, all shaping the outlook of my forthcoming book, 'The Gifts We Bring.'
7. Authenticity & Humanity: Embracing authenticity, I discovered the beauty of serving humanity without seeking recognition or control, a revelation reinforced by Rick Rubin's wisdom .
8. Learn to Overcome: Exploring new challenges, I conquered fears and broadened horizons, attempting skiing in the Alps , while reigniting my language skills in French and Swahili, interestingly, at Alliance Francaise in Daresalam .
9. Embracing Joy: I found joy in everyday moments, a light that shone amidst a world often clouded by fear. It's the little things that add up to happiness, not just the grand events.
10. Embracing Growth: Acknowledging that life continuously unravels areas for personal and professional growth, I embraced a growth mindset. Everyone's a work in progress, and I'm steering my future inspired by Poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) Invictus "I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul"

Lastly, 2023 unveiled a newfound bond with music for navigating tough times. Through Spotify, I share my curated playlist of 100 soul-soothing tracks from 2023 . Enjoy!

Thank you for reflecting with me on these deeply personal lessons, I look forward to greater gain through growth in 2024! ??

#PersonalGrowth #Reflections #Authenticity #WellnessJourney #Community #SelfDiscovery #Resilience #HealingJourney"