Roycelle Parker, Finance Manager
My theme for 2023 was, “Just Move the Needle,” and I did just that.
I put my head down amid the PILE of work before me, and the systems and processes yet to be established for two departments. I resolved within myself not to look at the whole load, for I knew that beholding the full load would breed inactivity caused and affected by the whole, like a scorpion’s sting – being frozen, stuck, unable to move the needle at all. So, full steam ahead I went, head down – only looking up to take another task off the top of the pile, and preventing myself from looking around, inviting distraction.
Laying in bed, losing sleep, pondering if I did enough in 2022. Mulling through my mind, reevaluating all of the plans and strategies initiated to promote GREAT SUCCESS, and yet feeling like, maybe, just maybe, I didn’t do enough. I didn’t hit that mark. I didn’t reach that goal. Yeah. In some areas – I totally FAILED. But at least, at a minimum – I suffered no loss (substantially, that is, for we all lose something/someone in a year); I have some semblance of good health and strength; God saw fit to let me SEE a full year.
Yes. Just be grateful…right?
Grateful. Yes. I am. And yet, sleep still escapes me as in lieu of counting sheep, themed melodies invade my thoughts this time. I start humming and pondering the words of the song, High Hopes for “…everyone knows an ANT can’t move a rubber tree plant, but he’s got High Hopes. He’s got High Hopes. He’s got hot apple pie in the sky HOPE…”
Wait! Am I the ant? Yeah. Probably.
But at least I have HIGH HOPES even though sleep STILL evades me. Hope. Yeah, I’m hopeful. But not that wishful thinking kind of hope. Not the “I think I can – I think I can” kind of hope. It’s the kind of hope that “makes one not ashamed” to go out there and “run this race with patience.” I am equipped for this! I have been created for this TIME and this SEASON to accomplish GREAT FEATS – to establish /set PRECEDENCE, pour in, absorb, fail, learn, grow, SUCCEED!!!
So…YOU!!! Yeah, YOU!!! Be encouraged as I encourage myself – even if it makes you lose sleep and mull over the day. Gone on out there and be the most unapologetic, determined, straight-faced version of yourself as you can. Because YOU are what we need out here in these streets.
Yes, gone on out there and be….GREAT!!!!
