I was a little sad to see 2018 go. It was so much better than 2017. I suppose some years are like that. Really most days are like that aren’t they? There are some things that are not in our control. Sometimes life isn’t fair and things happen. However after a tumultuous 2017, both personally and professionally, I vowed and prayed that I would take matters into my own hands and do what I could do to make 2018 the best year of my life.

First thing I did in the new year was take a trip to Montana where I left the previous year in the snow. I literally dumped it in a huge pile on the mountain and told God to take it. I vowed to be obedient and to not let my circumstances or the unhappiness of others effect my happiness. I put my life into action and did something I’ve never done before. I started with a word of the year. That word was OPPORTUNITY. I chose it because I wanted 2018 to be everything the previous year wasn’t and knew I would only make it better if I had “opportunities” to make it better, right? Here is what it did for me:

I finished the book I was writing and got it published
I connected with a publicist who chose to work with me because of believing in my vision and goals
I had a book launch signing/fundraising party and raised over $2000 for JDRF
Several new people came into may life who by the way happened to all be younger and more talented than me
Joined a women’s group who are all in the local business world and who are supportive and visionary
Became an Advisory Board Supervisor for a college chapter in my sorority
Wrote a leadership curriculum for my company and enrolled my first two candidates

I had no idea what I was doing but the opportunities continued to come my way. I was continuously raising my hand to “yes”! The more I said yes, the more I felt empowered. The more I felt empowered the more productive I became. This new year I have chosen TRUST. Why? Here are a few examples:

Trust that my children will make the right decisions
Trust that the Lord will provide daily for my every need
Trust that there are circumstances that will be out of my control and I can only do what I can do
Trust the people who I am now working with to take my book and my vision to the next level
Trust means “a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something”

I am choosing to TRUST this new year. Choosing to trust that hard work will pay off, putting my trust in something greater than myself and trusting my own instinct that I don’t need validation from anyone to ensure my success or how I feel. Trusting in myself to do what the good Lord has put me here to do.

“A rising tide lifts all boats”. All people benefit from someone’s personal growth and or success. Shelly L. Henderson is a wife, mother, entrepreneur and author. You can follow her on social media at shelly l henderson and on her website www.shellylhenderson.com together with her husband Phil, they founded and run Henderson Properties, a full service real estate firm in Charlotte NC. Shelly would love to share more with your business or organization. For more information you can contact Shelly via her website www.shellylhenderson.com

Word Of The Year

My “Why”