Show Up
By: Est Maria
Tags: Peace, Intentional Living, Mental Health, Show Up, Pandemic

As the road to 2020 is closing in 10 days and a new year begins, I thought about the one word challenge from the beginning of 2020 in an Instagram post comment. For me the word(s) I chose was “show up & be intentional”. I didn’t truly know what that really meant to “show up and be intentional”.

The road to intentionally and showing up was rather magical. Yes, I choose to live with the lens of optimism. I will continue to live with these lenses.

How the heck can I view this 2020 year as magical when the world around me was crumbling. Why do I feel that the world around me is crumbling? Exhibit A: Pandemic- The world shut down to keep the spread of the COVID-19 Virus. The human race began to process what it meant to “quarantine”. The lens of defining quarantine from country to country, state to state, county to county, neighbor to neighbor was quite fascinating to see and hear #quarantinelife. A whole new narrative shifted in how the state decided upon who is considered #essentialworkers to keep the country operating. The educational institutions had to shut down as people were scrambling to figure out how students will learn. My oh my what a hot mess… or is it a hot mess? Could this be the very thing we needed as a disruption to remind the human race of what truly matters?

I hope you will take a moment and view the media platform you have selected to see the consistent message what 2020 year is all about. Could it be any more uplifting watching the news?

Yet in the midst of it all, how can I say that 2020 will go down as the most glorious, marvelous, and magical year for me. To say that growth occurred in the lens I had to view this year with the #oneword showing up/intentional mindset. It is unbelievable to watch the narrative of people in high positions using phrases such as “uncertain, uncomfortable, disarray, let’s be done with 2020” as the way to communicate a safe space for the human race.

As I look at what 2021 will bring, I’m so thankful for a year where I had to learn to show up for myself and not try to show up for the world. I had to learn that the 30 years of showing up for the world led to heartache, heartbreak, let down, disappointment. Why do I say this? Showing up for others led me down a rabbit hole of a comparison trap and a mindset that I would never measure up to anyone because of the views that people have placed upon me. I am guilty in that I allowed these people to hold space and energy in my brain.. It was in these words “you are not enough, you can’t speak english, have you looked at yourself lately, you know you don’t belong in this country right?, teaching is not the best career choice for you, how does it feel to not be liked when you come into work, please know that we are wanting you to fail in life, etc. ” Going after the prize of acceptance in this world is how I failed at life… the moment of surrendering to Christ is how I can look forward in 2021 to see the plans that God will continue to show up for me in big and small ways.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I write this to remind you to take the time to reflect and recognize the super power within yourself to show up for yourself right where you are. To love yourself for the gift you are to the world and your community. YOU are placed on this earth with a purpose from a heavenly father that loves you to the core.

If you want to know more about this heavenly father, please open up the book of truth and let the words of God’s truth reveal within you how much you are LOVED. I pray that these words will find comfort to you as you celebrate the meaning of Christmas. Allow the birth of Jesus be the reason why you choose to show up to know Him more and not go after the prize of the world.

Merry Christmas! He is the real reason for the season!