Where I've been...

The good news is that I didn’t ever stop writing, at least not in my personal life. For me, writing has become a daily habit. One that facilitates a relationship with God, one that brings relief when I’m overwhelmed by emotions, and one that ultimately brings me joy to share encouragement with those around me. 

The truth is that I let fear hold me back for the past two years. Since releasing the devotional, for a time that was supposed to be filled with joy and gratefulness, it felt as if I had only experienced half the joy while the other half stepped back and allowed the fear of what others thought about me and my writing to dictate where I was going next. I would continuously ask myself, “Is what I wrote good enough? Will people understand what I’m trying to communicate, let alone what I wrote down on the page? Will people look at me differently and claim I don’t know what I’m talking about?” There have been a few pieces here and there that I took time to write, but it didn’t ever feel good enough and often felt more forced than genuine.

During this writing block, I’ve had great time focusing on healing wounds and old mindsets I held onto for a long time. These past two years I have incorporated multiple habits that have brought me to where I am today and feeling more like myself than I ever have before. The feeling of contentment, wholesome, and a genuine desire to love others. Although I often still have days of stepping back, I can lean on my faith, community, and routine that can bring me back into alignment with the mindset I listed above. 

Another large part of where I’ve been is with my community in the Oklahoma City area. When we first moved here I didn’t expect it to be a bad experience, but I also didn’t expect it to be this good (I’d like to call it healthy expectations ;)). The friends that have become like family keep me going in times of joy and difficulty. I have also realized more how we are all trying to figure out each day and work towards freedom in some capacity, operating out of our own experiences, mindsets, hopes, and dreams and there’s beauty in that.

I recently listened to a podcast where the host encouraged his listeners to think of the one thing that God has been asking you to do but you have been afraid to pursue it. For me, writing was that thing. Although I had posted my first blog in two years a few days before that episode was released, it was still encouragement in the right direction. 

Where I’m going…

Here’s the thing, I can’t guarantee I will be posting more, but I can commit to posting genuine and more thought-out pieces that I hope in-turn encourage you all the more.

Until next time,

JRL

Check out: How To LIVE By Faith | The Leader's Cut w/ Preston Morrison