VALLEY EXPERIENCES!!

One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.

Gilbert K. Chesterton

The season of Thanksgiving is here and despite being busy re-launching nappyXpressionz, I couldn’t let this day go by without expressing my thankfulness.  My year, like everyone else’s, has been a mixture of wins and losses.  It offered both mountaintop moments and VALLEY EXPERIENCES and while reflecting on my year, I realized that I’m most thankful for my VALLEY EXPERIENCES because of the lessons learned from them.  How about you?  Are you thankful for the mountaintop moments or your VALLEY EXPERIENCES? So, for this week’s blog post, let’s talk SHIP about the importance of VALLEY EXPERIENCES!!       

Webster’s Dictionary defines a valley as: a low point or condition.  And to me, that’s just what a VALLEY EXPERIENCE feels like…a low point. A place where it is difficult to see your way out of.  Have you ever been in a valley?   I’ve shared my recent VALLEY EXPERIENCE last month, so you know I have.  But the good thing about a VALLEY EXPERIENCE is that they are temporary, although it seems like forever, and are packed with character building lessons. Truth be told, VALLEY EXPERIENCES are where most of life’s moral lessons are learned because although mountaintop moments are joyous, they don’t afford us the opportunity for introspection. But VALLEY EXPERIENCES DO!!

VALLEY EXPERIENCES teach us that there is something greater than ourselves.  They teach us to be still and sit in silence. VALLEY EXPERIENCES teach us to listen. They teach us patience. They teach us forgiveness. They teach us hope. They teach us the need to strengthen and increase our faith.  They teach us love-for self and others. VALLEY EXPERIENCES afford us the opportunity to grow in Christ and to TRUST HIM!!  VALLEY EXPERIENCES may appear to be a negative thing but in actuality they are necessary for our personal growth and development. Walter Hawkins, the late gospel singer, eloquently explains the need for VALLEY EXPERIENCES through the lyrics of his song “Be Grateful.”  He says: “God has not promised me sunshine, that’s not the way it’s supposed to be.  But a little rain mixed with God’s sunshine, a little pain, makes me appreciate the good times…Be grateful, be grateful.”  

Know that VALLEY EXPERIENCES, despite their appearances, are temporary occurrences that are designed to keep us humble and appreciative.  And the beauty of having a VALLEY EXPERIENCE is that there is NO where to go but UP!!    So, the next time you have a VALLEY EXPERIENCE, just relax, learn the lessons, and re-emerge with a thankful attitude of gratitude!!!   Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!!!  

SHIP TALK: Are you thankful for the mountaintop moments or your VALLEY EXPERIENCES?

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