#50: My top five lessons from 2023.

Hello Friends,

Happy holidays to you all! It's great to be back in touch, especially after several months without publishing any articles. As the year wraps, I'm taking the time to reflect on the remarkable year 2023 has been. Without a doubt, 2023 has been a memorable journey marked by its share of challenges and victories that have influenced me hugely.

Taking a break from writing has reignited my enthusiasm to share with you and has given me plenty of insights to share. With the end of the year in sight and the prospects of a new year ahead, it's the perfect opportunity to appreciate and share with you the lessons I learnt in the outgoing year.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the five key lessons that the past year has instilled in me. Here’s a closer look at these important truths that have reshaped how I see things and laid the groundwork for what I hope we can all achieve going forward.

Lesson 5: Embrace Growth for Advancement

This year has underscored for me the pivotal role that growth plays in fostering sustained success. More than merely marking the passage of time, growth is the expansive journey of enhancing our capabilities. Much like a tree's roots that both stabilize and nourish its branches, personal growth in intellect, character, and spirit lays the foundation for enduring accomplishments. The commitment to actively seek opportunities for growth in every facet of my life has not only yielded substantial results but has also become a guiding principle that will continue to shape my journey in the upcoming year and beyon

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Lesson 4: Being a Great Communicator gives you an edge.

I’ve learned that communication is about more than just speaking; it is about connecting honestly and openly. Honesty builds trust, and trust fosters meaningful connections. Ultimately, the willingness to listen and strive for clearer understanding has made communication an empowering skill in both my work and personal life.

Lesson 3: Pursue Excellence Relentlessly

Excellence is a way to stand out. Coming into the year, I wanted to stand out in every way and in all of my dealings. And I saw that the way that I did things helped me achieve that. Paying attention to details of what you are trying to achieve, going the extra mile to do things well. This is the pathway to excellence.

I had it in mind that in whatever I do, I'll do it the best way possible. This produced a ripple effect in every area of my life, and made me realize how easy it is to attain excellence, regardless of the price to pay.

The good thing about excellence is, it is admirable, worthful(people are willing to pay more), and distinct.

Lesson 2: Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

I'm a believer(a Christian), and this verse of the scripture in Proverbs 3:5&6 came alive to me.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

I know so well that God, the one who made us, knows us more than ourselves. He knows what tomorrow is like, we don't. That portion of the scripture just clicks.

Trusting the one who knows tomorrow to direct my paths. It means I'll always end up at the right and accurate destination, because he knows where. It stopped making sense to me to rely on my understanding. Hence, at every point in time, I try as much as possible to take this posture of obeisance in prayer, telling Him to lead me, because He knows which way I should go.

Doing this has helped walk and live in his perfect plan for me. This song by legendary gospel artiste Don Moen titled 'trust in the Lord' also helped my faith. It has some powerful lyrics. See some below. You can listen to the song here.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And lean not on your own understanding

In all your ways acknowledge Him

And He shall direct your path

And He shall direct your path

Verse:

He will not allow your foot to be moved

He that keeps you will not slumber

The Lord is near unto all them that call upon Him

To all that call upon Him in Truth

Lesson 1: God Always performs His Words

God is not a man that He should lie. Just like the fourth lesson, this is not also strange to most of us. But, this year, I believed it so much than I have ever done, that God performs His Word. When He says a thing, He doesn't say it for the fun of saying it, He performs it.

My friend, is there any promise God has made to you, that you've read in His Word, I want to tell you again that he will bring it to pass in your life. By Himself. Knowing and reassuring myself of this truth helped me to scale through the times when it didn't look like what He said. Because I knew He would perform it, just in time.

As we count down the final moments of 2023, I am filled with gratitude for the growth, the life-shaping lessons, and the unwavering faith that have defined this year for me.

Wishing you all heartfelt joy this holiday season and a wonderful, prosperous New Year ahead!

Emmanuel A.