Starting Over After 40: It’s Not Too Late to Finish Strong | Ep. 408

[00:00:14] Welcome to Hustle in Faith. This podcast is dedicated to helping women who want to analyze, apply, and amplify their God-given gifts. We accomplish this by discussing topics such as business, self-improvement, health and beauty, and my random thoughts about life from a Christian perspective. I'm your host, LaTosha Johnson. All right, guys. So I know I've been really quiet lately, and there's a reason for that.

[00:00:39] So I recently started a new position and I've been completely immersed in learning the new job, getting settled, and figuring out this new season of my life. And on top of that, I'm in the process of moving. So needless to say, I've had a lot going on. But let me make one thing very clear. I have not abandoned the Hustle in Faith podcast. Not even close, okay?

[00:01:04] I still have so many goals for this podcast, so many conversations that I want to have, and so many stories that I want to share. And in fact, I have some interviews and new episodes on the way. So I'm just taking a little bit of time, taking a little mini break to get settled because, you know, I just need that time to get acclimated to my new normal, if you will.

[00:01:31] So while I've been navigating all of this, God has been teaching me so many different lessons in something that I have struggled with for the majority of my life. Patience. Patience is one of those virtues that has been elusive to me, okay?

[00:01:51] And so I've always struggled with impatience, but this year has really tested me more than any of the other years that I've been on this earth. You know, there have been so many obstacles, so many disappointments, financial challenges, career changes, and moments when I honestly wondered, God, what are you doing? I asked that question so many times, God, what are you doing?

[00:02:17] And I'm going to be honest, there were moments when I felt like the enemy was trying to wear me down, trying to make me frustrated, trying to get me to make decisions out of fear, desperation, impatience. But one of the greatest blessings that I've had throughout this entire season is that God blessed me with godly counsel. And that godly counsel is my mom, okay? There were plenty of times when she had to basically talk me off the ledge, because I'm telling you right now, so to speak, okay?

[00:02:47] And just remind me to slow down, to pray, and to trust God. And so now that I'm on the other side of all those obstacles and experiences that I've been through, I can honestly say something that I never thought that I would say. And that is that I needed some of those obstacles.

[00:03:10] I hate to say that, but I don't ever want to learn things the hard way, but I really did need some of those obstacles. Because learning through the School of Hard Knocks was the only way, I'm just keeping track of other folks that are coming around here. But learning through the School of Hard Knocks was honestly the only way I could probably have learned some of the things that I learned, okay?

[00:03:34] So now there are things that I understand about finances, hardship, resilience, gratitude, career, and even situations that people are in that I don't think I could have fully understood without walking through what I experienced this past summer. So I'll probably share more about that in future episodes, because there's a lot to unpack there, okay? Like a lot.

[00:04:00] But I have to admit, one of the biggest lessons that I have learned is gratitude. And it is so easy to take certain things for granted when everything's going well. You know, we've got food, we've got clothing, we've got shelter. What else? A steady paycheck, right? A steady paycheck. Having a roof over your head. And so having enough money, right?

[00:04:29] To handle your basic needs. And a lot of times we take these things for granted. But when you experience a season, okay? Hint, hint. When you experience a season where those things aren't guaranteed, your perspective is going to change immediately. You become much more sensitive to what other people are going through. And again, sometimes some of these lessons can only be learned through the School of Heart knocks.

[00:04:57] And I can tell you firsthand, financial hardship is not always the result of poor decisions. Let me say that again. Financial hardship is not always the result of poor decisions, okay? Sometimes life just happens, right? Sometimes circumstances are completely outside of your control.

[00:05:17] And after being, you know, especially in my situation, after being unemployed for a period of time, your savings can disappear a lot faster than you ever imagined, okay? Money dwindles, okay? But the bills continue. They don't stop.

[00:05:41] And eventually you realize just how quickly your circumstances can change. And so this summer was quite honestly one of the most financially challenging seasons that I've ever experienced in my entire life. But I'm grateful to say that I'm rebuilding. You know, I'm rebuilding. I'm rebuilding my finances. I'm rebuilding my career. And I'm rebuilding my life in general.

[00:06:07] And perhaps, you know, most importantly, I'm rebuilding with a completely different perspective. One that I'm incredibly proud of. And I'm also incredibly grateful that God has even given me the opportunity to do so. You know, something I genuinely enjoy and love. You know, he's given me the opportunity to have a career that I genuinely enjoy and love.

[00:06:35] And so I think so many of us have been conditioned into thinking about work solely in terms of money, okay? And I get it. We all have bills to pay. I understand that. But we all have to also realize that you deserve to have a creative outlet as well, okay? And I get it. I know we have bills to pay. Money matters.

[00:06:57] But I also believe that God created us all with talents, gifts, creativity, and purpose that go way beyond simply earning a paycheck. So the Hustle in Faith podcast is one of those outlets for me. You know, I literally fund this podcast out of my own paycheck because I truly believe in it. I believe in, I enjoy doing it. I believe in the conversations that we're having.

[00:07:25] I know that we've been changing lives as well. And I believe in the women that I get to encourage. You know, it's such an honor for me to be in a position to create value in something that allows you to use the gifts that God gave you. You know, I believe there is value in creating something that allows you to use the gifts that God gave you. We were not created to merely exist. And so God wants us to discover our gifts, right?

[00:07:54] Discover our talents, discover our ability to walk in our purpose, and ultimately use what he's given us to be a blessing to somebody else, right? So I said all that to say this. That's what I want Hustle in Faith to be and continue to be. So yes, I have a new, I have new episodes on the way. Those are coming down the pipeline. Yes, I have interviews coming as well.

[00:08:22] And yes, I'm still consulting and helping other women launch their podcasts and self publish their own books and journals. That is and will always be near and dear to my heart. I'm always going to be in a position to do those things. So I'll be bringing my workshops back as soon as I get settled into my new place.

[00:08:46] Um, so if learning how to launch a podcast or self publish is or self publish a book is something that you're interested in, especially we've got the new year coming up. Let me know in the comments section. And yeah, in the meantime, I'm asking you to be patient with me. All right. So I'm learning a new job. I'm moving and you know, I'm rebuilding as well.

[00:09:15] So I'm trusting God through all of it through all of it. Because, again, we have no other choice. Right. But I also want to encourage you just because you had a rough start doesn't mean that you have to have a rough ending. So we're getting close to the finish line of another year, which is so crazy to me. I mean, we're already in the fall. Right.

[00:09:41] But maybe this year didn't look anything like you expected. I know it didn't for me. Maybe you've experienced loss. Right. Maybe you've experienced loss. Maybe you've had financial struggles. Maybe you've had career setbacks. Maybe you've just, you know, you've just been waiting on God for what feels like forever.

[00:10:06] And I completely understand that. But I just want to remind you, please don't give up. Your current circumstance is not necessarily your final destination. So I want you to keep going and I want you to keep praying and I want you to keep trusting that God is in control.

[00:10:27] And make sure, most importantly, please keep believing that God can and will work things out for you, even when you can't see what he's doing. I'm living proof of that right now. So I'd love to hear from you, too. What have you been up to? What has God been teaching you this season? Thank you so much for all of your support. I truly appreciate it.

[00:10:59] Thanks so much for listening to this episode. If you enjoy listening to Hustle in Faith and would like to support the show, please consider sharing it with your friends. Rate or leave a review. Donate or make a purchase at our shop starring you crew. Remember, if you're everything to everyone, the risk being no one. You never know who you will inspire. See you in the next episode. Bye. Bye.