In the Process of Ushering in 2010!

In the process…2010


This is goodbye- to 2009 and Hello to all the promises of 2010! In a world where life has many ups and downs, repeats and turnarounds, let’s continue to look forward to the many blessings of the New Year. Let us learn from the many lessons of the previous year and build on those experiences as we reach toward the success, love, happiness, joy, thanksgiving, forgiveness, and understanding of 2010.
For me 2009 has been rich in new experiences. I’ve learned so much about myself in graduating, moving to a new city, starting a new life, closing completed chapters, and opening new ones. I am a woman of strength, character, and integrity with a tremendous amount of self-respect and confidence- all of which have been enhanced in my new ventures. I learned that the way I face challenges is an example of my character. Character is defined as qualities that distinguish one person from another. It is true that you never know how you’ll react until you’re in the situation. The strength needed to overcome obstacles of making new friends, realizing who wasn’t a friend-appreciating those who are, and networking in different arenas while remaining true to me has been unparalleled. My integrity has been upheld by pulling from my ethical standards within that adds value to me as a person, a woman, a mother, sister, friend, and love. Some of these qualities have been heightened in this transition-others have appeared out of the clear blue…or so I thought…
Ultimately these characteristics have always been inside of us- it just takes an experience to bring them out. I liken this experience to that of an olive becoming oil. In Biblical days olive oil was highly valued and obtaining it was a process. In order to get the olive to transform to the oil it had to go through a little something, something. First it has to be cleaned and separated from the branches and leaves. Realize that the branches and leaves of our lives could be friends, family, partners, jobs, etc. At any rate some separation is needed to prepare for the process to get to the next level of you. Next the olive has to be hammered into a paste to get ready for the press. Sometimes life deals us some situations where we truly feel that the hammer has not let up one bit. A friend was sharing with me that it just seems that it is one thing after the other. I encouraged him that things can only get better and to continue to be strong because it’s all in the process. It is necessary for these situations to occur in our lives to bring us to the point where we are pressed-pressed to look to God for our help. The press uses centrifugal force. What force? Breakdown, centrifugal force, according to The American Heritage Dictionary, is the apparent force drawing a rotating body away from the center of rotation, caused by the inertia of the body. How does that interpret into the process of you and me, you might be asking? Well, sometimes we need to be pulled away from our center- or self-centeredness! It is not rocket science-get your ego out of the way of your purpose and goals! Pressing involves separating the olive juice from the oil, and leaves a fibrous pomace- which really has no use. Are there some things in your character which can be tossed because they have no value? I won’t speak for you- I can stand to get rid of some of my own personal ways/flaws that have no value (Lord knows I’m working on it!). These flaws are detractors that can separate us from becoming the asset that we were designed to be. Finally the olive oil and water are separated using a decanter- a container to protect the oil. Maybe your oil is a dream that you want to make come true of owning a business, finishing college, or pursuing an untraditional path less traveled. Whatever your oil is- protect it and don’t let others rain on your goals. Take some time with the coming of this New Year to realize where you are in this process and prepare to be the You that You have been dreaming of! It may not be easy but it is worth it! The olive has always had the oil inside of it- just like you and I have always had our dream/goals and characteristics planted inside of us! You have highly valued qualities inside of you essential to be the very best you that you can be! In the process of ushering in 2010- start making them your reality!