Noble Plans

As we step into the new year, I thought I'd share a verse that helps me to dream about the future and to be assured that I'm dreaming in the right direction.

To be noble means to be of royal heritage. And we are noble because we daughters (and sons) of the King. When I plan, I tend to worry about making the right decision. Instead, I need to focus on living in my identity as a noble. When I seek communion with the King, I'll automatically make nobler plans. There's no formula. It's really that simple. 

As you chart out your course for 2015, remember who you are in Christ. I think Augustine was thinking of this verse when he penned his famous words, "Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.”

Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

Share the love,

Taylor

#CreativesWorthCelebrating

These are exciting times, y'all. I'm officially starting a business and today is the day I get to share it with you!

About a year ago, I chose the name Jubilant for whatever business I would start. The name comes from the biblical festival of Jubilee. It was a time when debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and there were celebrations throughout the land. I knew that I wanted a business centered around creating reasons to celebrate, for both my customers and for people around the world.

Jubilant was born after taking a hard look at my talents and passions. It's a brand strategy firm offering brand strategy and business coaching services to small business owners and to creative entrepreneurs.

It doesn't officially open for business until March 4th, but I've got some fun things planned before then. The first exciting event is #CreativesWorthCelebrating. Different creative entrepreneurs will take over Jubilant's Instagram each Wednesday and give a behind the scenes look at running their business. The first feature is this Wednesday!

I hope you'll join in on the fun! I also suggest signing up for Jubilant's newsletter so that you can receive a free brand definition worksheet. It should tide you over until we launch in March. And if you're so excited that you can't contain yourself, why don't you tell a friend about Jubilant?

Share the love,

Taylor

Pump Up Playlist

I don't know about you, but I need music to get in my creative happy place. I created this pump up playlist full of fun, soulful songs that should help make any task more fun!

What are your favorite pump up songs?

Share the love,

Taylor

My Word for 2015: Yield

I was sitting in church on the Sunday after Christmas. My uncle is the pastor, and somewhere in the passage, he said the word "yield." It wasn't an important party of the message. He only mentioned the word in passing. Suddenly, I knew that would be my word for 2015. I can't explain how I knew. God just kind of said, "This one is for you, Taylor."

So I looked the word up in the dictionary. It's word with many meanings, but a few stood out to me as areas of focus for the year.

yield
 : to give up possession of on claim or demand 
:  to bear or bring forth as a natural product especially as a result of cultivation 
:  to be fruitful or productive 

My prayer for 2015 is that I can give up control in order to bear fruit. We'll see how God uses this word to stretch me in the coming year.

Do you have a word for 2015?

Share the love,

Taylor

Things 2014 Taught Me

2014 was a big year for me. I spend four months living in Spain. I had my first corporate internship. I accepted my post-graduate job. It changed me. I know we're a few days into 2015, but it's never too late for reflection, right?

+

2014 was the year I...

Learned to love myself
I trained for a 10k in Spain, and that sparked my love affair with fitness. Before I knew it I was working out regularly and even attempting to eat healthfully. By the end of 2014, I was convinced that I was both strong and beautiful. It's not that I lost much weight. Truthfully, I only lost about five pounds. But it wasn't about that. I fell in love with my curves, the way the softer spots of my body complemented the hardness of my muscles. I'm happy with the way I look, and I hope to instill that contentment in other women as well.

Got help
I've suffered from bouts of anxiety since childhood, but I never really addressed it. In 2014, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I started therapy. I learned coping mechanisms. Too often, we hide our struggles with mental illness. We view the fact that we need help as a sign that something is wrong with us. 2014 taught me that I'm not alone in this struggle, and that it's not something that I need to hide.

Worked on relationships
When people say that relationships take work, I always thought that they meant romantic relationships. That's not the case. All relationships need intentionality. They require "I'm sorrys" and vulnerability and messiness. They require us to truly consider others better than ourselves. In 2014, I realized how blessed I am to have friends who walk with me and who work with me.

Said no
I've always like the quote, "You can do anything but not everything." I started to live by it in 2014. I quit things. I didn't go to events out of obligation. It made my year sweeter and more restful.

It's hard to boil down 365 days worth of lessons into a blog post, but those are the highlights. What did 2014 teach you?

Share the love,

Taylor