Day of Hope #144 - Friday December 13, 2024
Goal: Make the most of my favorite day, enjoy a little magic, and give myself permission to rest after an incredible year.
Quote: “You are always worth the time it takes to recharge.” – Original Day of Hope Reflection
Friday the 13th! My Favorite!
Oh, how I love a Friday the 13th! I know. Most people think Friday the 13th is supposed to be unlucky. Not me! Thirteen has always been my favorite number, and when my Day of Hope falls on Friday the 13th, I think it's extra special. So naturally, I was excited about this one.
But life doesn't always cooperate with our plans. And this month, I had to make a little adjustment. I needed to work for half the day. Things were busy at my corporate job, and my boss needed my support.
Now, was that exactly how I wanted to spend my Day of Hope? Not particularly. Ha! But I understood that sometimes responsibilities come up, and we have to be flexible. The important thing was that I wasn't going to let a few hours of work take away my entire Day of Hope.
Just because the day didn't start the way I wanted didn't mean it couldn't end wonderfully.
A Little Work Before the Fun
I took my time getting ready that morning. I didn't go into work until around 9:00 a.m., which was nice. I wasn't rushing around trying to get there at the crack of dawn. I knew I needed to help my boss with some things, so I went in and took care of what needed to be done. It was a busy morning. But I also knew I had something fun to look forward to. And that made the workday a little easier. Once I finished, I headed home.
And that's when my Friday the 13th took a wonderful turn. Thirteen Beautiful Roses! When I walked into my home office, I stopped. There, sitting on my desk, were 13 beautiful salmon-colored roses. Thirteen! My favorite number. And such a beautiful color. What a wonderful surprise!
I was told my day was about to get much better. And I had to agree. There is something so special about someone remembering the little things that matter to you. Not just flowers. But 13 flowers. That thoughtful detail made me smile. And after a busy morning at work, it was exactly what I needed. Sometimes a small gesture can completely change the way you feel about your day. My Friday the 13th was officially looking up!
And Then My Day Got Wicked!
Now it was time for some fun. I had been wanting to see the new movie Wicked ever since it came out in November. But with everything happening in my life, I hadn't found the time. So I decided my December Day of Hope was the perfect opportunity. And of course, I couldn't just go to the movie like a normal person. Oh, no. I needed to dress for the occasion!
I got out my princess crown and my green Elphaba gloves. Because why not? Ha! If you're going to see Wicked, you might as well have a little fun with it. I headed to the theater, got my popcorn and drink, and settled into my seat. I was ready. Let the magic begin! Wait! There's a Part Two?
From the moment the movie started, I was hooked. The music. The costumes. The sets. The characters. Everything was so much fun. I loved how they brought the story to life. The performances were wonderful, and the whole production was amazing. I was especially impressed by the musical numbers and how beautifully everything came together.
The movie was more than two hours long, but it certainly didn't feel that way. Time flew by. I was completely entertained. And then... WHAT?! It was only Part 1? Are you kidding me? Ha! Somehow, I had completely missed the fact that the movie was being released in two parts. I thought I was going to see the whole story! Apparently, I hadn't done my homework.
So there I was, enjoying this wonderful movie, only to discover I would have to wait to find out how everything ended. Well, that was a surprise! But I loved it anyway. And now I had something else to look forward to. Sometimes the best adventures come with an unexpected sequel!
A Little Magic and a Lot of Relaxation
After the movie, I headed home. I had such a wonderful time. The flowers. The crown. The green gloves. The music. The movie. It had turned into a really fun afternoon. And I wasn't finished enjoying my Day of Hope. I had dinner at home and settled in to watch several Hallmark movies. Because what better way to finish a December Day of Hope? A little romance. A little Christmas magic. And a whole lot of relaxing.
I didn't need to go anywhere else. I didn't need to accomplish anything. I just wanted to be comfortable and enjoy the rest of my evening. And that's exactly what I did. It wasn't an elaborate Day of Hope. There wasn't a big trip or an expensive adventure. But it was wonderful. Sometimes all you need is a thoughtful surprise, a good movie, and permission to relax.
Bonus: A Reminder That I Matter, Too
I also had another Reiki healing session this month. And the message was especially meaningful as I approached the end of the year. The session focused on joy, purpose, and the importance of taking care of myself.
One part of the message really stood out. “Kayla matters.” Such simple words. But sometimes we need to hear them. The message reflected on the importance of sharing my story, speaking my truth, and continuing the work I felt called to do. And that meant a lot to me. Because 2024 had been an incredible year. I had published my book. I had shared my story with so many people. I had continued building Hopes Highways. And I had created opportunities I once only dreamed about.
But then came the other part of the message. I was tired. Not just a little tired. Really tired. The message encouraged me to give my mind and nervous system a break. To rest. To recharge. To stop pushing myself so hard. And I had to admit, it made sense.
Even Good Things Can Wear You Out
Apparently, writing a book about self-care doesn't automatically make you an expert at following your own advice every day. Ha! But that's okay. We're all learning. And I was learning that I didn't need to stop pursuing my dreams. I simply needed to make sure I was taking care of myself along the way.
My dreams deserved my energy, but so did I. You Are Always Worth It
The final part of my Reiki message was something I wanted to remember.
“Take this time to reboot and recharge. You are worth it. You're always worth it.” I loved that.
Because how often do we put ourselves at the bottom of our own priority lists? We make time for work. For family. For friends. For appointments. For responsibilities. For everyone and everything else. And then we try to squeeze ourselves into whatever time is left.
But what if we stopped doing that? What if we treated our own well-being as something important? Not something optional. Not something we had to earn. But something that deserved a place in our lives.
I had spent over a deckade taking one Day of Hope every month. And those days had changed my life. But I was also realizing that taking care of myself needed to happen between those days, too.
One Day of Hope each month can change your life, but you still have to care for yourself during the other days. That was a lesson I wanted to carry into the new year.
Looking Back at an Incredible 2024
As I approached the end of December, I couldn't help thinking about everything that had happened during the year. What an incredible 12 months! What a year! So much growth. So many memories. So many wonderful people. And so many opportunities to share hope. I was incredibly proud of what I had accomplished.
But I was also grateful for the quieter moments. The walks. The baths. The time with family and friends. The mornings when I slept in. The afternoons when I did absolutely nothing. Because those moments mattered, too.
Twelve Years of Choosing Hope
As I completed my final Day of Hope for 2024, I realized something. I had now finished 12 years of taking one Day of Hope every month. Twelve years! And 144 Days of Hope.
When I started this journey on January 13, 2013, I had no idea where it would lead. I simply knew I needed to make a change. I needed time for myself. I needed to rediscover the things that made me happy. And I needed to find a little hope again. One day a month didn't sound like much. But those days added up. They became memories. They became adventures. They became lessons. They became a book. And eventually, they became the foundation for my own company.
What started as one day for myself had grown into something I could share with others. And that was something worth celebrating.
But as I looked toward 2025, I also wanted to remember the message from my Reiki session. I mattered, too. Not just the work I was doing. Not just the people I was helping. Not just the dreams I was pursuing. Me. I mattered. And I deserved time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the life I was working so hard to create.
Because hope isn't just about what comes next. Sometimes it's about appreciating where you are right now. And sometimes it's about knowing when to stop and take care of yourself.
My Lesson of Hope: Your Day of Hope doesn't have to be elaborate to be meaningful. Sometimes a thoughtful surprise, a fun movie, and a quiet evening are exactly what you need. Life will always bring responsibilities and unexpected changes, but you can still find ways to make time for yourself. And when you're pursuing something, you love, remember that excitement doesn't replace the need for rest. Celebrate your accomplishments, appreciate how far you've come, and give yourself permission to recharge. You matter just as much as the people and dream you're working so hard for. You are worth the time it takes to care for yourself. You're always worth it.
