A Soft Landing Into the New Year

Soft Landing Into the Year Ahead: A Blessing

There are moments that quietly confirm who you’re becoming.

This week, I walked into my Aunt Angie’s school to speak to students—something I’ve done before, years ago.  Back then, I walked in as a pharmacist.  This time, I walked in as myself.

I was nervous.  But I was also excited.  Free.  Not grieving an old version of me—evolved.

For the first time, I introduced myself out loud as a writer, a speaker, a creative.  I talked about pharmacy too—not as something I “left,” but as one of the chapters that shaped me.  Because purpose, I’m learning, is generous enough to hold many careers.  Many expressions.  Many season.

And standing there, watching the students lean in, I felt joy.  Real joy.

Purpose Isn’t a Straight Line

My purpose has become more and more clear, even when the path isn’t.

I believe I’m here to empower Black people—especially women—to care for their health and live their lives rooted in gratitude, grace, and love.  I did that in the pharmacy.  The pharmacy taught me discipline, service, responsibility, and how deeply people need to feel seen and safe.

And now, I do it through words, through storytelling, through movement, through media.

Saying that out loud—and receiving encouragement from the teachers, especially around the courage it took to pivot—was comforting.  Affirming.  It reminded me that evolution doesn’t erase who you were.  It builds on her.

Dream Boldly—and Work Honestly

My message to the students was simple, but not fairytale:

Walk with God to find your purpose.  Don’t let anyone stop you from pursuing it—including yourself.  Then be great doing it.

I told them the truth: the journey requires work.  Consistency.  Humility.  Fearlessness.  And a healthy understanding of failure.  Or better yet—learning.

I once heard Kobe Bryant say, “Failure doesn’t exist.”  You might fall today, but if you get back up, adjust, and keep moving—that’s not failure.  That’s becoming.

We often define success by money or title, but how you walk the journey—and who you walk with—matters far more.  There are people born into positions and wealth who do no good at all.  Are they truly successful?

Purpose is deeper than a paycheck.

The Discipline to Keep Going

If I’m being honest, consistency has been the hardest part this year.

Consistency requires discipline—the kind that keeps you moving even when results aren’t obvious, when success feels delayed, or when doubt whispers that you might never reach the goal.

But consistency is also an act of faith.  It’s saying, I believe this matters, even when I can’t yet see the full harvest.

What Lucrative Really Means to Me Now

When I spoke about purpose being satisfying and lucrative, I did mean money.  We shouldn’t be afraid to say that.  But I also meant joy.  Belonging.  A sense of calling.  Feeling aligned with what I’m meant to do.

Those things reward me daily.  They liberate me.  They empower me.  And I trust that with those foundations in place, the money will follow—and when it does, it will feel earned, aligned, and deeply rewarding.

The Quiet Pride I’m Carrying

As this year comes to a close, I’m most proud of the woman I’m continuing to discover.  I often feel like I’m watching my own movie—and I don’t know how it ends.  I see my flaws and my strengths.  My softness and my walls.  My insecurities and my courage.  The grace I extend.  The goals I reach.  And through it all, I still love her!

I know I deserve everything God has for me.  Watching myself become that woman is both humbling and deeply pride-filled.

A Soft Landing

As the year winds down, I’m giving myself permission.

Permission to be great.
Permission to take what I need—help, love, naps, breaks.
To rest without guilt.
Permission to land softly.

And if you’re reading this, I hope you’ll do the same.

A Blessing for the Year Ahead

As you step into the next year,
May you be fearless.
May you love and be loved the way you desire.
And may you feel secure in who you are.

May you find and cultivate your purpose.
May you pause long enough to breathe.
And may you ask for—and receive—what you need and want.

May you resist the noise that pulls us from one another.
May you see the good in yourself and in others.
Try something new.
May you release the grip of perfection.

And when it’s time….Go!

I’ll be taking the next couple of Wednesdays to rest and be present.  No blog on December 24th or December 31st.  We’ll meet again in the new year.

Until then, land softly.

With love,
AD

BTW: “You either win or you learn” – Michael Jordan

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