Happy Monday! 

It’s December already.

I just can’t believe how this year has flown by. It seems like we were beginning 2023 last week and now we’re on the verge of 2024! It’s incredible! And, as we start to take stock of all our experiences, let’s remember to look at ourselves kindly and celebrate our strengths rather than camp out on our missteps.

Someone once told me that success is measured retrospectively. At first, I didn’t understand. As I continue to develop emotionally and cognitively, I realize that we measure much of life in retrospect. We look at what we did, our accomplishments, and our perceived failures and judge ourselves and each other by both. It’s an excellent time to acknowledge the misfires and learn from the lessons surrounding them.

For example, I try to maintain an even countenance. Most of the time, I’m neither excitable nor in despair. Some would call me relatively solid, and that I don’t tend to get rattled easily. However, there was a period during the summer when I was overreacting to some of the chaos at home.

My girls started teasing me about being overly dramatic and I took offense regularly. (Soon, I’ll have to share a word my friend and colleague, Tsega, taught me ~ unoffendable!) When I began to pay attention to the times, they called me out, I realized they were correct. I was a drama queen, and although it was funny to them, it slightly shook their foundation. They felt they couldn’t depend on me to be level-headed.

After several unsuccessful attempts, I began to catch myself in the act and chose less drama and more strength. It was challenging. I had to keep getting back up again. But each time I got back up, I was a little stronger, and it became a little easier to maintain my steady, predictable demeanor. I was back in balance and was ultimately less stressed.

It reminded me of the song Tubthumping by Chumbawamba the lyrics of which are:

“I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down.”

If you have yet to hear it or don’t remember the song, google it, and listen. It’ll make you smile. (Warning: you may want to listen to the tune alone. It’s nostalgic from the late 1990s to early 2000s, but not entirely appropriate for young ears.)

And I found this great quote credited to Nelson Mandela that conveys the heart of my meaning this week:

Photo by Scott Webb. No copyright infringement intended.

Yes, we have successes, but how often did we fail, fall down, get knocked down, or overlook a key element before accomplishing the task or project we set out to complete? The successes are noteworthy and worth celebrating. But I also contend for the missteps, the failings, and the disappointments because those make us learn and grow.

Following are a couple of passages in Scripture about falling:

“Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Psalm 37:24 (NKJV)

“For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” Psalm 116:8 (NKJV)

“The Lord upholds all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:14(NKJV)

“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again,” Psalm 24:16a(NKJV)

Consider how many times you’ve fallen this past year. Were you able to get up again? Did you ultimately overcome the obstacle and find success at the end of the quest? My guess is that you have yet to think much about it. So, this week, take some time to reflect on your success, but this time, also review your challenges in getting there. We can learn a lot from how many times we fall down and get back up again!

Be Well & Be Blessed!

Lucinda