#464 – Keys to Thriving in 2024

A few years ago, we moved to a place that has trees around it and a lot of grass. When we bought this place, I asked the previous homeowners “what do you do to get the grass as green as it is”.

All I could think about was the fact that, at that time, I had three boys who hadn’t had practice with mowing a lawn because we’d previously been renting. Also, my husband just sold the lawnmower.

I was also thinking about the fact that mowing the lawn would be an amazing opportunity for my children to develop solid work ethic, step further into manhood, create an opportunity for my husband to train his sons.

But when I asked the previous owner of our home what he did to keep the grass geen, he told me he did “nothing”.

He proceeded to tell me that most of what I saw was planted even before they got there. Prior to their arrival the sod had been placed and the grass had been installed.  Crepe myrtles, trees, bushes and thorny roses had already been installed – all of the vegetation being thoughtfully placed in soil it would thrive in.

Ummm… that all seemed like a lie to me!

I just didn’t believe it was that simple.

But let me tell you something, my family has been in our home now for over three years and we really don’t do too much with the grass. It is pretty much great! Our property gets runoff from a pond behind us, so when it rains, we get extra water.

All of the green stuff growing around our house is thriving.

Why?  Because it’s planted well.

If you want to thrive, you must be planted well.

What does it mean for you to thrive?

Well, the dictionary defines thriving as growth or development that happens well. Thriving means “to prosper” and “to flourish”.

It does not mean that there aren’t challenges, problems, or hardships to overcome, but thriving does mean that you will overcome them as you increase your capacity to be all that God has called you to be.

Thriving is moving from glory to glory.

And I know you might be wondering, what does it take to thrive?

I know you might be thinking what does it take to thrive? I got a playlist on YouTube of what I think are keys to thriving.

Thrive in Connection…

I’m a firm believer in connection as a key component for you and I to thrive. God designed us for community.

Whether that be the relationship you share with your family, friends, co-workers, or faith community, being connected to others matters.

The key thing to ask yourself is whether you are being intentional about the relationships you have?

Over the last two weeks, I’ve shared short videos on my YouTube channel with the sole purpose of encouraging you to thrive. Last Monday, I actually told you that I would send you an email. Well life got busy (college kids are home) and thriving meant being present.

However I do want to make good on my word. Here’s the sixth video in the series!

If you enjoy watching that video, be sure to watch all of the videos in the series! You can do that by going to the Thrive playlist!

Here’s another way I would love to help you thrive!

Join the Book Club

This quarter in the Inner Circle we will be reading The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips. Y’all, this book is gold! Not only did I have the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Anita to discuss the book with her (you can watch that video here), but I’ve been diving in already, and the content is so rich and transformative. 

But you know what is better than doing transformative work on your own? Doing it in community! I hope you will come join me in the Inner Circle as we read together and do the work to “live our most powerful lives.” 

Already in the Inner Circle? Make sure to order your copy and join us in The 90-Day Course where the book club is being housed. 

Ready to join us? 

Learn to Thrive in the Circle!

I got it! You’ve emailed, DM’d, and even came up to me in church to ask. We heard you and didn’t want you to miss out, so the doors are open for just a few more days! The doors will close “for real, for real” Monday, January 15th at 12 PM CT. Join now while you can because the content we have mapped out this year is not to be missed if you want to be intentional about growing and flourishing, no matter what your circumstances may be.

Sometimes, we can get into the habit of just taking life as it comes, only to look back and realize how many dreams and goals go unrealized. The truth is, if you want to move the needle forward in your life, you have to have a plan, and that is what The 90-Day Thrive Experience will allow you to do.

So here is what I want you to know: whatever comes in 2024 simply presents an opportunity for you to expand your capacity.

Don’t focus on your challenges.

Instead, pay attention to the good changes that occur in you as a result.

Don’t focus on your hardships.

Instead, learn gratitude for how you learn to handle new things.

Don’t focus on your difficulties.

Instead, choose to smile when you think of how you decide to overcome because of the power of God working in you (Ephesians 3:20)

Here’s to being planted well,

Chrystal