Every time I check my social media pages, I am bombarded with “selfies.” People seem to be obsessed with taking pictures of themselves and posting for all the world to see. Some selfies are silly; others are just sad attempts at self-photography. Yet all selfies have one thing in common; the person taking the picture has the opportunity to control the image in the picture rather than relinquishing control to someone else, posed or candidly. As the author of the “selfie”, one has the ability to control what others see and decide for themselves what they want others to see about them.

I have often wondered if I would be a better human being, a better daughter, a better sister, friend or colleague if I took the concept of “selfies” and applied it to how I live my life. If you really think about it, all of my actions and interactions are in essence, selfies. Do I take the time to control how others accept and perceive me or do I leave it up to chance? Have I chosen to project selflessness or selfishness? Lately I’ve asked myself the question – What does my “selfie” really say about me?

In just 48 hours, I will celebrate my next birthday. In past years, my friends and family would have been bombarded with emails and reminders about my birthday at least ten times by now. I usually publish several lists of the things I’ve learned, the things you can do for me and in recent years, my favorite quotes and sayings. I generally dedicate at least one day of celebration for every year of life. Some may find my birthday celebration exhausting but I usually find it exhilarating. That is… until now.

If you follow me on social media, you have probably noticed a drop in my postings of late. I just haven’t had much to say. I simply haven’t felt like posting. Some folks take my postings way too seriously and others don’t take them seriously enough. Writing is normally therapeutic for me but it’s been a burden for me lately. There just haven’t been enough hours in the day. Too many tasks and not enough time. During this time of silence and withdrawal, instead of writing to encourage others, God used this time to write to me. Through my prayers, dreams, family and friends, he wrote on the walls of my heart and spirit and encouraged me to focus on the biggest social media infatuation of the moment – the “selfie.”

This year’s birthday celebration is unlike those of the recent past. In celebration of my first birthday since turning 40, I am focusing on ONE, the one in the selfie. I’m looking in the lens of the camera and sharing one lesson learned and one inspiration to reflect on.

Lesson Learned – The Testimony – I have learned that testimonies are only built through tests and trials. Over the last twelve months, I have faced many tests, personally and professionally. While being tested, I didn’t always understand why I was being tested or the timing of the tests and more importantly, the lessons learned. It seemed as if every time I bounced back from one test, another one was just around the corner, stronger and more impactful.

In the past year, I have been reminded that at the end of every storm there is a rainbow. There are beautiful colors, shining bold and brightly, sometimes ending in a pot of gold. Every color of the rainbow has meaning and purpose. The colors can stand alone, complement each other, detract from one another or combine to create new colors. The lessons are endless. There is a blessing in the testing.

Inspiration to Share – Seasons of Me – it is often said that people are in your life for a reason, season or a lifetime. I have learned to embrace that reality and have found that my season has ended for some relationships while it has been restored and renewed for others. In every season, I’ve learned to live in the moment of that season, taking one day at a time. In this particular season of my life, I am encouraged by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To every thing there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to reap, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace

In reflecting on this passage, I have discovered that it’s my time to refocus and renew. It’s my time to press and proceed. It’s my time to start and never stall. It’s my time to embrace and embark. It’s my time to be me, the best me that I can be. It’s my time to live, love and be happy. It’s My Time.

Kelly Price puts it best in her most recent R&B hit. In the song, Kelly proclaims:

I decided that I was gonna be/living and loving and happy

And my best days are in front of me/Everything will be alright cuz now it’s time for me

It’s my time to rise, it’s my time to shine

It’s my time to live, it’s my time to fly

It’s my time, it’s my time, it’s my time

I declare. I decree. Agree with me. It’s My Time. This year ahead of me will be…My Best Selfie Yet.