In Conclusion

In conclusion, I am choosing to walk hand-in-hand with God and His purpose for my life. I am choosing, with His help, that in the coming year and years to come, I will start each day with my conclusion - my introduction and middle will eventually write themselves.

"In conclusion..."

That's how most of my secondary school/GSCE essays ended. It was the beginning of the end, the part where I placed emphasis on the 'argument' I said I'll prove in the introduction.

The conclusion was also something we were usually told to write or brainstorm first - "think about how you'd like to end your essay, that tends to help with how you start your essay."

Most times, life is an essay and at this time of year a number of us are 'proofreading' our lives to ensure that all our A-grade points have been made and to be honest, it's overwhelming.

365 days can often feel like the 2-hour GCSE Anthropology English exam in a dead-silent-smelly sports hall, on the hard plastic chairs, while the wooden table gives you splinters and your pen runs out of ink. You're looking at the clock tick and you look over to the other side of the hall where the higher-set students sit, writing what looks like a book, and you've yet to write a word.

This year has been such for me, looking over at my peers and comparing my accomplishments with theirs and 'unknowingly' drawing up [mental] plans to catch up with them. 10 months into 2016 and I humbly concluded with myself and God that what I was doing wasn't wise.

In the social media era we live in we're so quick to post our accomplishments (and never our failures) becoming a generation of 24/7 show and tell and always seeking to up one on the other person.

I had to take a break from social media* to really conclude what I wanted for myself and to ensure that it is what God wants for me. The validation that comes from God and His will for my life is much better than that of comparing myself to other people.

I celebrate with my peers on their achievements, but the time away from social media has allowed me to celebrate my own achievements without seeking the applause of many, but the only applause that matters - God's.

SO HERE ARE A FEW THINGS I’VE LEARNT

• 2016 has been a fantastic year for me. I only wanted to accomplish two things and they both happened. The hardest times this year, have been the best times for me to reevaluate myself and REALLY SEE God in everything.

• A lot of people on social media are just gassing. (Worst hashtag of the year #RelationshipGoals *sighs to the heavens*).

• There had to be a box, for us to think out of. Don't leave the box untended. Don't despise small beginnings and sometimes think/work within the box you have.

• My achievements are my achievements, I am not in a race with anyone, I am instead on a life-long stroll with God.

• Improve for you, because it's the right thing to do.

• You will go through things you never expected and your plans WILL NOT materialise. FACT! But there is HOPE! FACT!

• I don't need to scroll through the social media feeds of those I claim to care about to know what they're up to. We've become lazy. Schedule a Skype/Facetime call, write a letter, surprise them with a gift, not every day double tap because a virtual heart doesn't speak much of your real heart.

• Stay in your lane, but also make room for those trying to join you in your lane. Having a network of supporters and people on the same wavelength as you is important - rather than compare we encourage.

• I don't have a clue what next year will look like - AND THAT IS OK! (Matthew 6 vs 30-34 is my 'goal').

• Where I am [in life], is where I need to be.

*Drops pen after the exam with satisfaction*

Matthew 6 vs 30-34 - Amplified Version (including my additions)

"30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted, or want to hashtag your life away), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 32 For the [pagan, unbelievers, faith lacking people] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [BUT DO NOT WORRY,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow (2017 and beyond...); for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

In conclusion, I am choosing to walk hand-in-hand with God and His purpose for my life. I am choosing, with His help, that in the coming year and years to come, I will start each day with my conclusion - my introduction and middle will eventually write themselves.

“To know that nothing can surprise God is a celebration on its own.”

P.s. Your new year doesn't have to start in January.

* I feel so 'blah' after being on social media for more than 10 minutes - I feel like I'm wasting so much time. That being said, I'm not opposed to social media at all, it has its place and has done some amazing things for people who use it.