Claudine Phillips
Merry Christmas Friends!
2019 has been about finding “balance” between beauty in hard work and achievment with the rough around the edges things that fill and feed and remind who we are…whole.
One of the greatest things I learned about myself was that I have so much to learn (ha!). In 2019, I found myself smack dab in the middle of speaking, writing, and podcasting. I constantly showed up not knowing what the heck I was doing, but doing it anyways!. Learning continually. Experiencing some super lows and failing at times, yet staying in the moments of extreme highs of success. Needless to say, 2019 was a trip! It was all the things I love to do including homeschooling my boys, partnering with my girl as she spreads her wings, while holding onto my man and not letting go. It was honestly a true gift to live out 2019. True gift.
With all great achievements come hard work and long hours. Just because I was in the middle of my dreams, does not mean it was easy. It took a lot of late nights, earlier than 5 am mornings, and weekends of learning, studying, and creating. I think I will forever be a student, so all those things did not bother me so much, it was the adjustment of mom not home all the time or wife not available as much. The kids and Shad are so excited to see mom finally do the things she’s talked of for decades. I was the one that just missed the little things. I look at it, however, as the small cost living in that “balance” of wholeness.
How about you friend? Did you experience that new type of balance that really is never in balance? If so, what happened in your 2019? I want to know! Share with me every detail!
Shad wrote me a letter via email that made me stop in my tracks. He reminded me that I rarely look back and am always pushing forward. The dysfunctional “perks” of an Enneagram One! LOL. I am grateful that he took the time and listed what I had accomplished. He gave me kudos and celebrated all the things, big and small. He made me stop and pause and see the fruits of all the labor. I am grateful. It spurred me on the write this post here!
In saying all this, I am SO grateful for is YOU! You have jeered and cheered me on in this new adventure! We have found each other online, in person, and on social media. We have connected, grown, and supported one another. Thank you for your support! I have so many amazing things set up for 2020 already and can not wait to share it with you!
It goes without saying that I could not do any of this without my Shad. He is truly my ying to my yang. We could not be more opposite, but in a good way. We are good together, personally and professionally. Thank you Lord for this.
But, Lord, seriously, what a ride. What a gift you have given me to do this life. Thank you for showing me surrender, acceptance, gentleness, patience, and power in you. You direct me back to you daily in humility and opportunity. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This is where I land at the end of the year. It may seem a weird verse to land on, but God knows…”The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
I hope that you can take a few moments and look back at the last 12 months and account for not only what you have done, but the relationships that have been cultivated and what God has shown you. Let’s pause for a moment, take a breath, give thanks, and then move into 2020 on fire and ready to be our best selves, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Let’s live out 2020 in Wholistic Greatness!
I love you guys. – Claudine