Birthday Celebrations

I have reached a huge milestone. Tips to Treats is one year old.

I can still remember the day my Sister, Tan-yah said: “You should write a blog”.  I am very sure she could see through my half excited reply. She grabbed the bulls by the horns and started to design my website and get it up and running. After a month or so with a lot of hard work from her side, she called me to ask if I have written something for my blog as yet? Her words: ‘Cause the website is done.

I never had such a massive sinking feeling in my heart the moment she said that. I gave this nervous little laugh, thinking, Yeah, Sure, Okay. Million thoughts ran through my brain. Who? What? How?  I didn’t know how to approach this. How does one start to write a blog?

I dabbled around for a couple of days staring at my blank laptop screen and dismissing any attempt to start writing a story. I felt stupid. Incapable and way out of my depth.  Who was I kidding? I can’t write!

I am an artist. Not a writer. Writing is reserved for the people who actually paid attention in class.  Of course, true to Charlene style the images started flashing through my mind. What if people don’t like me. What if they think I am a joke? What am I going to write about so that readers will enjoy my stories? Gosh!! Do I even know how to spell B.L.O.G? The pressure was a mountain.

My first blog was something I never thought I would share. I actually cannot believe writing my first story flowed so quickly.  I do admit it does not always happen so easily. I have spoken previously about how quickly I can sit and stare at my laptop screen for hours and would end up choosing the easy way out by taking a nap or looking for a snack.

Ever since my last blog about Growth, I have had the constant thought, to notice my blessings. Keeping myself aware of where I have been, where I am now and the areas I am praying into for growth and progress.

I get excited for the areas in my life I put my hope and faith into. Measuring my journey just for these couple of months I can visibly see how God is moving.

I want the same for you reading this as well. I truly believe, if you stay excited for your hopes and dreams, it opens up opportunities to come along your way. So excitement is the key to your journey into the future.

To start something new is daunting. Speaking for myself, I have believed so many lies about myself. Words whispered making me doubt my capabilities, doubt myself and what I can offer.

We put ourselves in a box or we stick a label that frames our lives in such a way that it holds us back to jump in with both feet and try something that we will excel in.  I studied art. I always felt I was good at it. I remember at the age of around 9 or 10yrs old I drew my dad’s portrait in charcoal, although my untrained hand was evident, the resemblance was uncanny and my parents proudly showing it off was such a boost to my confidence.

Sadly that confidence does not hold forever and it gets pushed back into the dark corners of your mind and soon forgotten. You forget how it felt to be told: Wow, good job or you are so good at this or that. Life takes over and we push our hopes and dreams to one side as more important things pop up. Sooner than later we realize we are not happy or something is missing.

Taking stock of our lives is important. Following from my last blog that is what I did exactly and it is truly an eye opener. I can visibly see how God has had His hand in every area of my life. I can see how he put opportunities in my way that I grabbed hold of and those small things became huge game changers for me. Those words I heard at the young age of 9 or 10  had my confidence boosted again that I found my bravery to climb out of those boxes and labels and could stand in front of the mirror and give myself the thumbs up.

What a wonderful feeling. To be brought out, dusted off and allowed to shine. To know who you are. Who God created me to be. Standing without fear facing the future and allowing yourself the grace to grab hold of the things that you are good at. The things that give you joy.

Life is so short. Don’t let it pass you by.

I would like to make a request. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and take stock. Write down what you want to do. Write your feelings and what you need to make positive changes in your life.  Don’t let another minute pass you by without finding that one thing that you have forgotten or pushed away so that you can find joy again.