The Space In-Between

Overcoming 2023 + A New Writing Space

Hey, Friend!

It's been a minute! OK, I admit, it's been longer than a minute. In fact, it's been about ten months since the last time I checked into this space, and if I am honest, I am embarrassed to admit that.

See, at the beginning of the year, like many of you, I had my goals written out, and my vision was clear.

Newsletter sent weekly, check!

Proposal sent to literary agents; check!

Born Influencer Podcast Season 2, check!

It was all clear, but then, in January 2023, I experienced a loss. In May 2023, I experienced another loss. June 2023, another loss. And if I am honest, all of these losses have taken so much out of me.

Mentally!

Emotionally!

Spiritually!

Physically!

2023 has been HARD! And if you feel the same, I want to let you know it's OK to admit that.

Reflecting over this year, I may not have accomplished any of the things I mentioned above, but I gained a deeper understanding of God's word and character. What I did accomplish was the ability to know how to sit with my pain and lament my loss. I gained perspective about this life and how temporary it all is. (I will write more about that later!)

Community.

I thrive in a community. I am best around people I can learn from and pour into. I joined Substack because not only do I love writing, but it will also provide a space for others to join the conversation and leave comments.

God, Goals & Coffee is our community, where we talk about the hard things, believe in God for the big things, and share tips on what type of woman we need to become to walk into the destiny of our lives.

The Space In-Between

This space is uncomfortable. It's a space where you are not where you want to be but also not who you used to be. It's the space where you just endured a difficult season of life where you are no longer the same, but the new version of you hasn't emerged.

I am learning myself in a new way, and the last time I went through this emergence was when my daughter was born five years ago, and the time before that was when I got married—four years before that.

As daunting as this moment feels, I am excited about the possibilities. I am excited to dream new dreams and write new visions. I am practicing radical surrender, acceptance, and coming home to myself.

Sometimes You Don’t Survive Whole.

I listened to a clip the other day by Toni Morrison that made me cry, reflect, and share with friends. It's a clip on Trauma, Survival, and Finding Meaning. She said, "Sometimes you don't survive whole, you survive in part." I needed to hear that.

This year, I have been trying to find a solution. I have been holding my breath that I wouldn't become a casualty to my pain, and praying like David in Psalms, "Lord, how long?"

So the idea of my survival, blossoming, and endurance, as Ms. Morrison said, being spiritual gave me permission. Maybe the need for me to survive in part is so that God could fill the empty parts of me, and we could become whole together. 

Perhaps, more as one.

I look forward to exploring together in the God, Goals & Coffee Newsletter.

I welcome you here, in this space in our space. Where we gather and trust God, crush goals, and drink' a little coffee (or tea!) together. Most importantly, I pray my life will demonstrate God's grace. Not because I am a perfect woman but because I am an available woman.

Sincerely,

Ashley Joy