Last year around this time I was in great anticipation of my 40th birthday. I had planned an intimate gathering, but I was excited for life beyond the celebration. I was excited to live out the mantra that had first entered my mind in my late teens/early twenties, "when I turn 40 I will become a woman". It was an odd thought I knew, but I knew it to be true. It was a thought that would continually present itself over the course of the next two decades.
I hadn't deferred my growth leading up to this year, but I will tell you I've known for nearly two decades in my spirit that my life would take a dramatic shift…and it did.
40 was immediately met with the death of my father, which unearthed a hunger for authentic living.
40 brought a little less patience for nonsense, but an unbridled boldness for walking in truth.
40 solidified the importance of planning aggressively for what's to come, while living actively today.
At 40, I reminded myself of the value of doing one thing at a time. Multi-tasking dilutes performance.
Leading up to 40, I learned to fine tune my ability to drill deep into the singular voice of Discernment over the chaotic volume of the masses.
I moved beyond just trusting my gut, in my personal life, to blindly following my gut. In turn, I found myself constantly walking in the blessing of doing what discernment called.
At 40, I learned that the overnight changes in my metabolism only created necessary changes in my overall view of health. From there I found food freedom and it was just that — freeing.
This year I made time to write, to write, to write and to share.
I took the time to send that text, make that phone call, have that coffee, show up for the things that mattered and gave myself a break for not always being available for the things that I could not.
I purposed myself to plan time to rest my mind. I prioritized decompressing and refueling daily as highly as I did sleep, and I reaped the benefits of renewed energy each morning.
At 40, I sought out new challenges and adventures and chose to do them even if I was afraid. I intuitively knew each accomplishment was enabling me to achieve higher heights. I know I am still climbing. I hope to always be climbing.
My hope is that each of you finds your '40', and purposes yourself to live your best life knowing there is no ceiling that limits you other than the one that you create. I hope you break through and break down the obstacles that stand in your way — that you not be content with remaining hopeless and muted, knowing there's a world that awaits your participation. Your participation may just be the game changer the world needs.
—Joycy
Joycy Ann Unplugged 