Welcome to Odyssey, a newsletter for the individual on a journey, or as we like to call it, an odyssey to becoming their most authentic selves whilst having difficult but realistic faith, wellness, skincare and personal finance conversations. We are your guide to everything selfcare and development.
Hey Oddfam, it’s our last Thursday of the year and what can I say? I genuinely cannot believe we’ve come this far. In the last piece, you must have heard me say ‘Until next year’ but I just had to write one more piece to you before the year ends.
📝That being said, brace yourself for a reflective journey. Buckle in, grab a pen, maybe a journal, and prepare to delve into introspection alongside me. In the accompanying soundbite below, there’s a few tips on things you can do to have a more fulfilling and wholistic 2024.
Listen below and let me know what you think ;)
I've always held a deep appreciation for time stamps. Perhaps you're wondering why. To me, they encapsulate the essence of both beginnings and endings, a tangible record of the journey undertaken. If you were to ask me five months ago if I foresaw myself doing anything like this, my response would have been a resounding no. I had plans for 2023. Trust me, Odyssey wasn’t one of them. Yet, here we are, marking an official five-month milestone of writing to you all, our loyal Oddfam, and all I can say is, it could only be God. Having such an affectionate and supportive community is a blessing beyond measure, and I couldn't imagine a more perfect one. On behalf of both me and my exceptional team, I say thank you.
When I look back on the year, a profound sense of gratitude envelops me. I lost so much this year, but I gained even more. In the midst of numerous episodes of burnout and fatigue, a valuable lesson emerged: genuine rest resides in my Father, my Abba. As the year winds down to what I hope and believe to be a glorious end, I extend an invitation for you to join me in the rest I have come to deeply appreciate. I encourage you to pause, sit still for a moment, and reflect on the distance traveled in your personal odyssey. Let’s begin.
A Love Letter to the Weary Hearted.
Dearest reader, the only remedy for big odds is a big God. This truth has become a cornerstone of my understanding, both through unwavering faith and practical application.
Echoing the wisdom found in Matthew 11:28-30, where it is written, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Most of us have rushed through the year, barely stopping to rest. Now, you feel drained. Emotionally, mentally, maybe even spiritually. Your heart is heavy and burdened. I encourage you to welcome Abba into your weariness; He yearns to give you rest. In the course of 2023, there are certain things I’ve come to learn of God’s rest. Let me share them with you.
God’s rest is infinite: Picture a well brimming with water, an endless source that never runs dry. No matter how much is drawn from it, there's an inexhaustible reserve. For me, that’s the perfect description of God’s rest. This year, I learnt that when life gets a little too much for me to handle, I can always find solace in the presence of my Father. Additionally, I recognized that certain challenges were an invitation into a season of stillness. So sometimes, when it becomes a little too much, perhaps stop to ask. ‘Is God trying to drown out the noise? Do I need to sit with Him and just listen for a while?’
God’s rest is free: When I think of the gift of salvation and how it is freely given, it leaves me in awe. The notion of receiving something so profound, eternal, and unconditional is beyond human comprehension. Thankfully, humans aren't the ones offering it, for such boundless generosity is something that only exists in Christ. Oh! What a love! Well, it’s the same with God’s rest. All you have to do is accept it. And it’s easy too.
🤎Here’s a short prayer: ‘Lord, help me experience rest your way. Fill me with your peace, that which surpasses human understanding. May patience and endurance be birthed within me. Help me to abide in your rest, and may I never forget that these things may last for a time, but joy comes in the morning. Amen.’
All in all, God’s rest is timeless. It is not bound by circumstance or fleeting emotions. It radiates an unwavering love, inviting us to release our burdens and find solace in His boundless grace.
My Personal Reflections for 2023 💌
Over the course of the year, I always found myself writing little notes on what I believed God was teaching me in various times and seasons. Looking through them now, I realize what a great help they were, and I hope that in sharing them with you, they might help you as well. Even if they don’t at this time, they remain incredible things to come back to.
The Life you want for yourself is just within reach. Grab it!
True love for God is not devoid of responsibility.
It is a privilege to wait on God. Life is about the choices we make, and the choices we make determine the outcome of our wait. We can decide to blame God, turn our hearts away from him or we can choose not to wait in despair but rather, in joyful anticipation for we know our expectations will not be cut short. Why do we know this? Because the Father has promised us in His word, and His word will never fail. “There is so much purpose in the waiting. Do not waste the wait.”
There’s always more with Abba. You can never get enough of Him. There’s always more depth, more things to be learnt. Just, more.
Becoming a Believer will not automatically rid you of bad habits and addictions. Discipline, consistency in building a relationship with Abba and most importantly, renewing your mindset to one that understands the perfect love of Christ will.
God cares about your mental health. You can always ask for help. The Bible says to seek guidance as victory is won through many advisers. It's okay to bring God your questions. It's okay to bring God your hurt. It's okay to bring God your struggles.
Don’t outrun the spirit of God. You are more important to God than the gift He has given you. He craves intimacy first rather than the responsibility He has given to you.
The basis of your consecration is not your goodwill or good works, it is not admiration from men. It is not your delusion neither is it based off of your personal beliefs. It is the continuous will of the Father, whatever that may require of you.
Don't trade your altar for the praises of men. God knows how to speak the language of where you are. If God hasn't said go, continue to wait for release and never let anyone's voice be louder than the God in you. Patience is a good companion for Faith.
These are a few I believe are very important. I hope they speak to you in whatever season you may be in right now. Be it a waiting season, a birthing season or even a testing season.
We’ve reflected on 2023. So, What’s Next?
As the saying goes, change is the only thing that’s constant. However, even as the seasons change, we must learn to hold steadfast to God’s promises. The only way to do this is to inquire from the Father. It’s as simple as saying ‘Dear Abba, what is your will for 2024? What would you have me do?’ The new year, as I see it, is our timestamp. It’s earth’s way of saying another cycle has begun. A fresh start. A new beginning. A way to mark times and seasons. The Heavens recognize these time stamps we’ve created. However, we must realize that our seasons have the ability to change even before the year ends or another begins. So, what next?
Here’s my advice: As 2022 came to an end last year, I promised myself that I would take a few days towards the end of the year going forward just to sit with Abba. It would be a date, with no distractions. Just me and Abba, talking. This year, it will be a social media fast with the Odyssey team. We’ll be sitting with the Father on the last three days of the year, seeking His face, aligning ourselves with His will and just loving Him. If you can, join us.
It is also important to be a part of a community. God has not called any of us to do life alone. It’s made clear in His word.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Plant yourself in community. Look around you. Who has God called you to do life with? To journey with? Life can be hard and unfortunately, as believers, we’re not called to a life of complete ease but one of purpose. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, who share the same values and who desire to help you achieve purpose. This is also the perfect time to reflect on your relationships this year. Who are you listening to? What words are guiding you? It is also a time to check in on your relationship with God. We will always fall short, but consistency and discipline, combined with a true heart of worship is all God really asks of us. If you haven’t yet made the decision to walk with Him, I invite you to do so today.
Journalling Prompts💭
I learnt to write down more of my thoughts this year and it is something I’m genuinely grateful for. I also find that it’s good to take stock of the year with a positive mindset. Instead of approaching end-of-year journalling with ‘I didn’t accomplish my goals this year’, see it more as ‘What did I do better this year?’ Here are some prompts to get you started.
Write a letter to God telling Him how you truly feel at the moment. (No holds barred)
In what areas do you feel you've made progress this year, regardless of size?
What lessons did you learn from challenges that will serve you in the future?
List five things you're grateful for that happened this year.
What knowledge have you taken as truth that can stop you from entering into the fullness of your next chapter?
What is God’s word over you for 2024?
Some ‘Odyssey’ Related News🤎
There’s a lot to be grateful for this year. Here are a few milestones we’re grateful for.
Launching this newsletter.
Hosting our first virtual meeting themed ‘Challenging Negative Narratives’.
Serving a community of over 100 people both through our newsletters and Instagram.
Writing consistently on here for 5 months since we began.
Building an inner team of 10 members.
Working and collaborating with creators and people we love.
We know for a fact that come 2024, we will have a lot more to be grateful for.
As we wrap up, here are some things to hold on to:
Jesus loves you very much. Nothing and no one can ever separate you from His love. Never forget it.
There is purpose in your waiting season. Don’t waste it.
God is the blueprint. Ask Him to search your heart and to remove all that does not look like him. Ask Him to reveal the gaps to you. In all of it, remember that you are first a human being, before a human doing. Intimacy with Abba is key.
In a few days, we will officially say goodbye to 2023. It’s been a whirlwind of a journey and we’re grateful to have done it with you. Well, half of the year at least 😅 We hope you take some time to wind down, rest and be still before the year ends.
For the last time this year, if you loved reading this, make sure to leave us a comment, subscribe if you haven’t already and share this piece with someone. This will be the best Christmas gift you could give us!
Until next year friends,
Love, Dara.
Last resource for the year! Am I more excited than I should be about this? I thought long and hard on what this should be and honestly, there’s no better resource than the Word of God. I encourage you to pick up a Bible this week. (Trust me, it’s a good read ;)
Another resource, however, is this song I’ve been loving and can’t seem to get out of my head.
This was such a beautiful and timely letter! Thank you so much Dara🥺❤️