Truth be told, 2017 is off to a rough start, in an emotional sense.  Everything that I’ve envisioned for the New Year isn’t exactly coming true and I’ve been a little disheartened.  I made a couple mistakes in 2016, both personally and professionally and I’m still beating myself up a bit.  But knowing that there’s nothing I can do to change the past, I’m striving to move forward and my mantra has simply been to do 2017 better.  I think we can all be a better version of ourselves.

Focusing on the future.  I’m hopeful that there’s some really beautiful things ahead.  However, it’s scary because the future is always an unknown.  I have a hunch that I’m not the only business owner out there who might be dealing with a little fear.

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

Yesterday, I was going about my day and stressed and hurried but then found myself in an usual situation with a couple extra minutes on my hands.  So I went for a stroll down a city sidewalk and wandered into an antique store.  I was minding my own business and going about my shopping when a stranger approached me, kindly introduced herself and asked if she could pray for me.  Was there anything on my heart that I could use prayer for?  She was on a prayer walk.

I nearly burst into tears then and there.  There were a number of people out and about yesterday, and yet this person I don’t even know wanted to pray for me.  I don’t know that I looked like I needed prayer or that there was a troubled look on my face.  But I gave her an abbreviated version of what’s been keeping me up at night and she prayed for me and was then on her way.

I have been filled with such a peaceful feeling since this encounter.  It gave me a little hope for the world, there’s good around us. I think this is just a good reminder to all of us that we never know what the person who parked crooked next to us, is taking too long in line in front of us or has a beautiful life on social media is really go through.  What would happen if we all just prayed for each other?  And what if we showed someone grace and kindness whether their life is beautiful or they’re just flat out rude?  What if we all promised to be the very best version of ourselves?