I Took A Sabbatical

After a year of change and expansion, I decided to take a step back from the use of Instagram. I needed to see life away from ads and algorithms. I wanted to see the world with a new set of eyes. In the beginning, I was met with moments of boredom by not scrolling through my already boring feed. I turned to TikTok and the dead horse space of Tumblr; and became disgusted with those too. This sabbatical became a pursuit of real world stimulation and dwindled inclination to check in and post.The habit of not checking made checking completely unattractive.

While I refrain from posting, although I recently posted a bit on my story, I delved into writing and discovering TV shows that had meaningful characters and thought provoking storyline. Two of my favorites are Kindred and Greenleaf. Kindred is a historical sci fi adaptation of the book Kindred by Octavia Butler. The premise is painted by  time-travel, chattel slavery, self discovery and the nuances of racism and classism. Greenleaf is a breath of fresh air with a wealthy pastoral family who tries to keep faith and family strong in the midst of evil, scandal and generational trauma. 

Dana, Kindred’s protagonist, is in a constant pursuit of discovering herself in a world of uncertainty. She shares a gift and a curse with her mother who is trapped in her own pre-civil war, below the mason dixon line, slavery world. Dana’s abilities, or lack thereof, becomes the source of her constant attempts to free herself, her mother and new friend from what looks like a generational curse. The method to her madness comes from pure impulse and the desire to finally do good. 

Grace, Greenleaf’s protagonist, is the eldest daughter of a prominent mega church in Memphis. She was working as a reporter but returned to Memphis with her daughter to uncover a tragedy caused by pure evil. Since Grace returned it seems as though the family is on the brink of losing everything, marriages, business, homes, lives. The Greenleaf’s show us that in the end everybody gets paid what’s been sowed and the end is an opportunity for a new beginning. 

Both of these women have been wildly audacious in taking control over their new lives. They fought through racism, romance, family trauma, being talked about, being regarded as crazy and still prevailed. Getting to something new and releasing what was old took them moving and facing things head on, sometimes without thinking. Newness requires the release of something old, sacrificing something familiar, and sojourning through unknown territory with the belief you will prevail. 

In this new year, I encourage you to take on something new with courage and the inner knowing you will see victory and or peace at the other end of it. You may find yourself like Dana, unwillingly releasing and having to figure it out on the way. Or like Grace, taking a bold leap of faith to find redemption. However newness finds you this year, receive it with thanksgiving, courage and the faith of it working in your favor. 

What is something new you want to do? When will you take that leap? Comments as always, are welcome below.