Behind the Curtains No. 3

Reflecting on how incredible life is... even in tough seasons

If you could peek into a window of my life lately…

My Behind the Curtain Series is usually for paid subscribers only, but I decided to make this one available to all. Happy New Year!

🧡 You can listen or read below

Welcome to 2025! The start of a new year burns with excitement for some and disappointment for others—the excitement of what could be and the disappointment of what was or wasn’t in 2024. Oftentimes, undue pressure is self-imposed to become what you’ve always wanted to be, yet the failures of the past remind you how you failed last year. Our feelings as humans can be fickle, and our experiences are all unique.

This year had some awful lows and incredible highs. I learned so much, that I could probably write a book about it. Reflecting on 2024, I realized I didn’t celebrate the good enough. The bad screamed the loudest, so I gave it my attention.

Last night, my family of 5 sat around and talked about what we were thankful for throughout the year. I struggled to remember the soul-nourish goodness that was. I realized I had allowed the big bombs of death, sickness, and other woes to define the narrative of my 2024. I wept internally as I faced my flawed perspective face to face.

I spent too much time fighting specific fires, rather than looking up and seeing the rest of the forest of my life is quite incredible. God was incredibly faithful in 2024. I have so much evidence of His incredible love that I am truly overwhelmed in the greatest of ways.

What I am doing different

I am celebrating EVERYTHING! I am celebrating the big birthdays and the small wins of having washed laundry. I am celebrating the people in my life, the joy of being able to create, and sitting down and eating dinner with my family. Unlike previous years, I am going to keep a journal that is dedicated to recapping my day. Journals are always a part of my life, but I use them for various things. I would like to remember what the day feels like in greater detail.

Ambition makes me climb big mountains with laser-focused intensity; gratitude allows me to pause and experience the beauty of the journey.

I am looking forward to what I discover along this journey.

-Briana Ariel
Thoughts from my journal pages.

Some 2024 things worth celebrating

1. I survived! No, I am so serious… whew.

2. Seeing my daughters pursue their entrepreneurial dreams has blessed my soul! My daughters have a jewelry business called, Bumba Bee Shop. They do popup events and sell on Etsy. It has been an incredible experience to work for my 3 & 8 year olds. I just sit around at our “staff meetings” and marvel at who these young ladies are becoming. You can check out their shop here: Bumba Bee Shop

3. I’ve strengthened some of my most soul-nourishing friendships and gained new ones.

4. I watched my children grow spiritually - again incredible

5. I learned the value of “presence” in grief.

6. I learned to set BOUNDARIES and maintain them! If you know, you know it’s not always easy.

7. I was featured on various media outlets, like ABC 7 in DC, with the release of my children's book, Affirmation ABCs for Little Ladies.

8. My artwork was featured in multiple galleries and exhibitions throughout the year!

9. The FREED Magazine team and I finally released our podcast called, Into the Deep by FREED Magazine.

10. We took a family trip to see a dear friend of mine who I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic.

11. I released a poetry book called, Her Loved Soul.

12. I started learning how to play the guitar

13. Our family raised and released butterflies

14. I learned CONTENTMENT! Out of all of the “wins,” this right here is the one I am most excited about. The freedom that has come with “contentment” has radically changed every fiber of my being. I am also learning that this heart posture is indeed contagious.