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"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." - Maya Angelou
And So It Begins — Again
Welcome to your new and improved digital vibe check! This month's theme is courage. Courage to take the first step. But what happens when you're taking that "first step" for the second time? Or the third time? Or… you see where I’m going with this. Let’s talk about it.
A Black Lady Herstory 📜
Simone Biles returned to the Olympics in Paris 2024 after taking a mental health break, winning 4 medals (3 gold, 1 silver) and redefining what athletic courage looks like.
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The First Step That Never Really Ends
I started Ingridients For Life, LLC shortly after beginning my life coach training. Correct. I hadn’t even obtained my certification yet, but I knew coaching was my calling. It felt natural. It felt good. It felt like Kingdom work, service for the Lord. I felt fulfilled!
But here’s the thing about service: it doesn’t always come with the salary we want or the paycheck our work deserves. Business (if you want to call it that) was booming when I was giving away my coaching, seen by others as advice, support, or just a listening ear. But when you put a price on that same service? Things get a little shaky.
It’s been four years. Have I stopped coaching? No. Have I made any money? Very little. And if you’ve been following me, you know this revamped newsletter is just one of many revamps for Ingridients For Life. And here we go again... for everyone to see. Because whether you think no one’s watching or not, trust me. All eyes are watching.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the “what-ifs” of the world, give up, and move on to the next thing. Imagine if Toni Morrison had done that with her manuscript for The Bluest Eye. She faced multiple rejections before it was finally published years after completion. And then came even more scrutiny. That was enough to call it quits.
A Black woman? Writing novels? About Black issues? In the 1960s? That could’ve easily been her first and last attempt. But luckily for us, she had the courage to start again.
Your Turn to Begin... Again
My story hasn’t turned out like Toni Morrison’s yet. And maybe yours hasn’t either. Maybe there’s a gift, a passion, a deep sense of fulfillment you know is your thing, but fear has kept you from stepping forward again.
Don’t be afraid. Move with purpose. Have the courage to begin, no matter how many “first” steps it takes.
✍🏾 Journal Prompt
Think about a time you had to start over. What made you hesitate, and what gave you the courage to move forward anyway? What would you do differently if you had to take that step again today?
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💪🏾 Challenge
Choose one thing you’ve been putting off because you “already tried before.” Commit to taking just one step toward it this week — big or small. Your job is simply to get in motion.
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💅🏾 Affirmation
I am not starting over. I am starting wiser, stronger, and more prepared than ever.
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A Final Word on Courage
I hope this message was well-received and that this week’s newsletter sparks courage within you. The courage to begin. Again. And again.
Until next time,
Ingrid
