A New Year Brings New Altitudes of Gratitude

There are no birds in last year's nest. —?Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

What are you most grateful for in 2023? For me, this time of year is often filled with great expectations because it represents a season of new beginnings. It is also a time of intentional reflection.

We are nine days into the new year. As we celebrate the start of a new revolution around the Sun, I am reflecting on the things that contribute to my attitude of gratitude.

In the summer of 2022, a minister prayed over me at a Christian women's conference. "You are an Eagle. God is birthing something in you. He's calling you higher in Him," she declared. Her words still resonate within my spirit.

An Eagle cannot soar with weights on its wings. Therefore, I came into the new year determined to fly higher—?putting off things that were physically, emotionally, or spiritually holding me down. Yes, I literally came into 2023 seven pounds lighter. This was intentional on my part.

My return to primarily eating plant-based foods and going back to the gym regularly led to the attainment of my weight loss goal. Now, I am focused on maintaining a healthy weight and continuing to prioritize rest. Still, I am thankful to have the energy to engage in high levels of physical activity without quickly becoming fatigued.

Since February 2021, I have dealt with fatigue following an ischemic stroke. Thus, it was challenging to work out regularly. Last year, however, I started to regain my physical stamina.

Emotionally, I struggled privately with bouts of depression, but with the support of my doctors, prayer, and the love of my family and friends, my depression symptoms subsided.

Last year, I was diagnosed with mild vascular neurocognitive disorder, which is related to changes in my processing speed, speeded executive functioning, and free recall of verbal information post-stroke. For me, this provided clarity and answers for changes that I noticed within myself but that were invisible to others.

Still, even with neurological changes, I have continued to soar. My daily pace of life has changed. This shift in pace has caused me to be more intentional with my time. However, my love of language and capacity to learn has not changed. I have continued to write and to learn the Portuguese language. I started Heritage Home and Garden LLC, where we grow fresh sustainable produce locally, and create high quality greeting cards and home goods.

This year, I look forward to planting new seeds and growing new crops. My husband supports me in cultivating the land. I am thankful to be able to grow healthy foods for myself, my family, and for my community.

I have returned to the gym. I work out regularly. Increasing my daily physical activity has improved my mental clarity, too.

My word for 2023 is freedom. Like a bird with wings to fly, I am soaring—?moving to higher levels—?one day at a time.