“Feelin’ myself, I’m feelin’ myself, I’m feelin’ my
Feelin’ myself, I’m feelin’ myself, I’m feelin’ my, feelin’ my…”

 This catchy hook from a popular song a few years ago has been playing in my head for the last week or two. Its sassiness, bravado, and rhythm are in sync with how I’ve been feeling. We all know the last 18 months have been…interesting, and in times like these, we don’t always feel like ourselves. Stress, anxiety, anger, fear, frustration, and a host of other emotions can keep us from feeling like our best and most authentic selves.

When I went on hiatus, I wanted to relax, refresh, and hopefully kick-start my creativity and energy for what felt like a new season approaching. Little did I know how it would all unfold. I was excited about taking a real vacation for the first time in ages and was focused on that and praying that the pandemic wouldn’t upend my long-awaited plans. The break was one for the memory books, and I was left floating in renewal when it was over. Then tragedy struck.

How could I be feeling so awesome one moment and so devastated the next and the next and the next? The lows were emotionally debilitating, and recovery seemed far away. I leaned heavily into my faith, searching for answers and clues. Nothing was clear. But like a cloud-spotted sky, sunlight peeked through in unexpected ways and at the most unexpected times. Loss, pain, and devastation opened the door to nurturing, connection, recovery, and healing. Who knew?

Why am I sharing this with you today?  There are two reasons. First, I hope that it will encourage you to look up and be hopeful in moments of tragedy, loss, or devastation. Rays of sunlight peek through at the oddest points to penetrate our layers that most need warmth and energy. We have to shed unnecessary layers in preparation for what’s to come. When those layers are gone, we feel like ourselves again.

Secondly, today is a special day. I am grateful today to celebrate another trip around the sun. With all that we’ve experienced recently, I’m thankful to be here to share my gifts and purpose with you. Our challenges don’t define us. They help to clear the way that leads to better and more. A new season has begun both literally and figuratively. So today, with fewer layers to carry and a few more days marked on the calendar, I walk into a beautiful new season, and I’m feelin’ myself!