What I Learned...

It's been a while since I've, well, been in contact with my community & I am sorry that I've been out of touch. I am grateful that you have stayed with me & look forward to the future. I'm not the best writer, nor do I put myself out there very often, so please be more forgiving when you read this. Message me with suggestions on what I can do to be a better writer.

This week is my first official week back into LinkedIn and I am excited to see all of the changes that y'all have made. So excited that I get to share in your successes. I am so proud of you, my LinkedIn community!!

I went through a tumultuous year & had to reflect on many things. I thought I was connected with God, my source, but I wasn't. It humbled me to think how far away from Him I really was. I did reconnect with Him, though. I learned that I need God more so now than ever before. I had a great mentor that taught me how important it is to take the time to connect with your source, so connect with your source.

God showed me PEACE. That was my word for the year. Everywhere I looked, I encountered peace. It was a rocky road in many aspects, but God redirected me to the peace that only He can provide. Find your peace.

I have met several thousand of you in the past 30 years. I am proud to know you. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to meet & sometimes even hug you. I hope to connect with more of you in the next year, have a conversation, learn who you are, build a relationship, maybe get a beverage in this crazy time. I miss those days where we could grab a beverage without a mask. I learned that even in this digitally connected world, our worlds can co-exist, that we can build a fruitful relationship, work together. We will find a way to connect & I welcome your engagement on LinkedIn.

God showed me PEACE

I had to take a full time job this year. With the health of our country still in flux, it was more difficult to make local connections. It's ok, though. I am grateful to this company for hiring me & giving me more purpose. If you know me, you know that I believe everything happens for a reason. God placed me here to learn & grow. And He was not wrong!! I learned so much working with a new generation...millennials. I had to learn a whole new way to communicate. They are such a fascinating generation...so giving, so generous, & so technologically connected. A little more entitled than I'm used to, but I can deal. I'm most excited about their digital prowess. It's like they were born with a cell phone in their hands!!! I learned that if you want to know about anything digital, ask a millennial. They may roll their eyes at you, but it's worth the conversation & watching their reactions. It's so comical!! Talk with a millennial & let them drop you a little knowledge.

I also took the time this year to get my certifications as a Certified Scrum Master & Certified Scrum Product Owner. I'm well versed in several product management methodologies, but having the certifications makes me feel good. I met a great group of people who helped me learn. I will let you know that I had to literally 'forget' everything I know about product management to learn this, but this group of individuals helped me limp through it. Remember the millennial thing?? Yeah, they were phenomenal!!

They (millennials) are such a fascinating generation...so giving, so generous, & so technologically connected.

I have been through many, many challenges & changes this season, but the rewards & knowledge that God provided far outweighed any of them. I reflect on the people that are a part of my world. I am grateful for YOU, my community. YOU, who have grown & evolved. YOU, who have stayed your TRUTH and blossomed. I look forward to connecting with you next year. Happy Holidays & please be safe!!