Brunch with Purpose: Takeaways You Need in 2016

Happy New Year Everyone! It’s time for a brunch with a purpose.

I had an amazing experience to start the New Year off with a “Brunch of Purpose” that was put together by my good friend Cassandra Vincent who is the creator of The Liberated Heart.

She brought together a few driven women to talk about starting 2016 with purpose and intention. It felt like I was meeting a group of sisters for the first time that I was able to share with, grow with, be honest with, and build within 2016.

The brunch was anchored by the book “One Word, That Will Change Your Life”, by J. Gordon, D. Britton and J. Page. We had an open discussion about our faith and our personal journeys that was uplifting to say the least.  We ended the brunch with a challenge to choose a word for the year that would keep us grounded on our journey.

Honestly. This wasn’t an easy task, so I just went with the first word that came to me — Honest. 2016 will be the year that I am honest about what I want, where I want to be, and how I feel about things/people in my life. Geesh! I can’t believe I chose that word, but clearly I need it this year. So, I am claiming it! Through the good and bad, I will be HONEST about it.

Of course, I will do this in the most polite way. Which we had to do a little practice at the table, and J0-Anne was happy to share a few techniques…

“Honestly, no.”

“I mean, NO!”

“Hmm, how about that is not going to work for me.”

Bear with me…I’m still practicing it ya’ll!

There were so many profound statements during the brunch from the ladies. Me being me, I left with some amazing takeaways that will help us get to the place we  want to be in 2016.

I have been unfair to you, because I have been unfair to myself…

~Cara Paige, Cover Paige Creative

Takeaways You Need for 2016

1. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself! The greatness you are striving for already exists inside of you. Trust in the One that you know is guiding your steps, and know that everything that is happening in your life comes with a purpose. There is no such thing as being off-track ( I know. I say it all the time: “I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing”)… It just may not be the route you think you should have taking, but trust God and He will direct your path.
2. Find a like-minded friend/circle. It felt good to be in a room of women that were all focused on becoming their “Purposeful Self”. They could hold me accountable for what I say I want for my life (and oh, it has already started), and I love it!
3. Value yourself. You are beyond talented, wiser than you believe, capable of doing more than you can imagine, and you need to believe it. Everything you want for your life is yours, and trust your heart’s desires will be given to you. Just take a leap of faith with confidence that you are worth it.

Word Jar. Cassandra gave away the best gift bags at the end of the event that was both simple and meaningful. I am probably going to steal that idea for an another event in the future, but this is what Brandi from Branding with Brandi had to say about her jar….

This year I decided to do something a little different. I have this cute mason jar (thanks @cassandranvincent 😘) and inside are words, phrases, goals, destinations, and many of my heart’s desires written on pieces of paper. I prayed over this jar (literally prayed over it) and screwed on the lid (not to be opened before 12/31/16). The thing I realized is that God can’t be contained. He can’t be contained to our small minds, our journals, and even this jar. The things I mentioned in this jar are soooo tiny compared to what God can do to us, for us, and to the people in our lives. Through obedience, meditation, praise, listening, comprehension, action and an intentional relationship with Him, I know He can pop the lid OFF this jar (in more ways than my tiny brain can conceptualize). 2016 is gonna be lit! I’m thanking you humbly in advance. #pixbybrandi #HappyNewYear #brandingbybrandi

A photo posted by Branding by Brandi (@brandingbybrandi) on Jan 3, 2016 at 8:56am PST

Challenge. If making a plan or a complete vision board seems a little overwhelming, find a word that you can reference that will keep you focused on your goals.

Take a second and think about one word that would describe what you want your 2016 to be for yourself. What would your word be?

Don’t think too hard about it. And don’t worry… You can change your word later if you need to!