WE MADE IT! 2021!

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the OG Speckled lamb (AKA, Faithfully speckled) to every single human; beautiful, amazing, talented, precious, unique, imperfect, flawed and unapologetically loving themselves.

I’m not going to do the ‘new year new me’ thing, cos present me is great, wonderfully and fearfully made, but I want to be able to say at the end of 2021 that yes it is a better me.

2020 had quiet a bit of a weird turn and no one could have been prepared for what we went through, but we survived and that is a blessing in itself. I really hope we can all look back on the year and acknowledge God’s Love, Faithfulness and Kindness through everything, even through the tough and sad times.

My deepest condolences to those that lost somebody, RIP to all great and small, old and young, known and unknown.

Lessons learnt from 2020 and advise for 2021!

1. Sometimes life just happens, let go and let God! The best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry. So stop stressing and being anxious, it doesn’t really change much. Instead pray, give thanks and ask for His perfect will for your life. Sometimes just FLOW!

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a mans's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps.

2. If you feel down, we all might at some point, don’t stay down. If you are stuck in a circle and feel overwhelmed, RANT, CRY, SPEAK OUT, just don’t bottle it in, but do all this to GOD FIRST. He cares so much as to hear about that annoying customer, that annoying assignment, that annoying boy/girl, that 2kg left to your weight goal, how you want to dine in at Nandos but can’t, literally about everything; nothing is too small to bring before God.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
1 peter 5:7 Casting ALL your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 

3. We all have flaws, maybe yours might seem more than another, its all down to individual perceptions. Stop comparing or looking at someone’s life as a benchmark or symbol of perfection, instead be perfectly YOU. No one else has the internal or external resources to be the best YOU!

Turn your flaws, imperfections and shortcomings into your biggest assets, stepping stones and motivator.

4. Procrastination is the B word, it is honestly a thief of time. I was aware of this pre-pandemic, but being locked down and being home for a majority of the time, really makes you realise how friendly you might’ve been with procrastination. So, I’m leaving this friendship in 2020.

“Choose to do now, what you will be happy with later on”- Joyce Meyer.

5. Use time wisely. This pandemic gave us all a lot more free time than before, that we needed to fill up with activities. Wasting this time however could be very bad. Do something, learn a new skill, cook something, read something, do some exercise ( yes you), connect with somebody, connect more with God. Time is so expensive, its a luxury that this pandemic afforded us, make the most of it. Make SMART plans.

6. Having good, actually, GREAT friends is soo valuable; people that can motivate and encourage you without even doing too much, people that want to see you grow and win. Praying for more of these in 2021 and beyond. Pray about the people that will walk in and out of your life, and pray even more for those that stay in your life.

Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. 

7. You know that one thing on your yearly plan/goal that has been carried over yearly, abeg (please) don’t carry it over again to the next year. Just surprise yourself for once and randomly do it, or start it. You would be shocked for like a week that you actually got it done/started, but it would be the best feeling ever. If it is something that you have fear about or lack confidence regarding, in the words of Joyce Meyer, “Do it afraid”

8. Some days you just have to say no to that take away, that extra clothing, that new trainers. Like I said some days: some days spoil yourself b, but some days save up b! Money seems to annoying go quicker than it came, and weirdly, being at home for the majority of the year didn’t make as much difference as it should’ve. But that is my own fault tbh.

9. Saying NO isn’t always bad, actually, learn to say no. Some people just do not know when to stop asking, and needing, and wanting, and requesting, and sometimes we need to know when to stop giving. Give yourself a break sometimes, say no, not to be cheeky but to just put boundaries up, at least for your mental health. Some people are wired as takers and will keep taking until you are dry. This can include your time, money, skills, knowledge, FOOD, stuff, anything ! Identify the taker in your life and be cautious with them.

10. We are too busy for God as a whole. Honestly, you would think being in lock-down for the majority of the year, being at home more and having more time would, make us pray and connect to God more, cos a lot of people use to easily say “there is no time…” blah blah blah. Now you had time… did you pray more, read the bible more, worship more… if your answer is yes, welldone and don’t stop, but if your answer is no, let 2021 be your year, do better!

A reminder for this year 2021.

‘YOU are still and will continue to be ENOUGH! God loves you and wants you all to Himself’