PROVIDENCE IN EVERY STEP: MY MANIFESTO FOR A MEANINGFUL LIFE

 

As I reflect on the year as we’re halfway through with the guiding word, which has carried me through ‘Providence’, I’m drawn to the manifesto that hangs on my wall, a daily reminder of truths I hold dear. Each morning, I wake up to those printed words, and they ground me. Every new day is a testament to divine providence, a quiet assurance that even amid chaos, there is a greater, beautifully orchestrated plan at work. This blog is a heartfelt reflection of the lessons I’ve embraced, shaped by my creativity, purpose, and faith journey. May these words uplift and guide you, as they inspire me.

1. All things work out together for my good.

This truth is the anchor in my storm. Even when things fall apart or are delayed, I’ve learned to trust that there's a higher reason. Just as Romans 8:28 promises, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”, I choose to see setbacks as setups for greater breakthroughs.

2. God knows and that's enough.

Providence begins with surrender. I’ve let go of the need to control every outcome and have found peace in knowing that God sees the entire picture. Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us that His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are far beyond ours. If He knows, then I don’t have to, and His knowing is enough. That alone is my reassurance that He will see me through.

 3. Never give up!

There were seasons when quitting seemed like the easier option, but I pressed on. Every ‘no’ became a redirection. When you hold on even when it hurts, you align with the promise of Galatians 6:9: “Do not grow weary…for at the proper time we will reap a harvest…”

4. Don’t beat yourself up for things you can't change; instead, focus on fixing what you can.

Regret only wastes today’s energy. I’ve learned to let go of the uncontrollable and take ownership of what I can influence. That is the essence of wisdom and knowing the difference (echoing the Serenity Prayer).

5. Have faith!

Faith fuels everything. From launching new projects to navigating personal losses, believing in what I can’t yet see has been my superpower. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for…” That’s my compass in uncertainty.

6. Believe that you can!

Self-belief isn’t arrogance, it’s acceptance of the gifts you’ve been given. When I doubted, I looked at what I’d already overcome and remembered, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

7. Missions without a goal are pointless; so always set goals and achieve them.

Wandering without a vision leads to frustration. Every art piece, business venture, or children’s book I’ve completed started with clear goals, and God's provision met me in the planning. Goals give direction and purpose to our passion. They help us measure progress and stay focused when distractions come. Even faith-filled dreams need structure. “Write the vision and make it plain…” (Habakkuk 2:2) reminds us that clarity invites action and movement. When we align our goals with God’s guidance, we don’t just move forward, we move with purpose.

8. Actions speak louder than words.

People remember what you do more than what you say. That’s why I strive to live authentically, letting my life reflect my values. Words are easy, but integrity is action. James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.” So I create, love, serve, and give boldly, letting my actions preach when my words are silent.

9. Never be intimidated!

Imposter syndrome once paralyzed me. But I’ve learned that no one else has my exact story, my voice, or my vision. God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. So now I stand tall, knowing that if He placed the dream in my heart, He will equip me for the journey. “The righteous are as bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1), and so am I.

10. Just because you keep failing when you try doesn’t mean you won’t succeed eventually.

Every failure has taught me more than success ever could. It’s not a dead end; it’s a detour that refines, redirects, and strengthens you. Like clay in the Potter’s hands (Jeremiah 18), I am being molded through each setback. Keep showing up. Keep trying. Victory often lies on the other side of perseverance.

11. Always do your best no matter what.

Excellence is a form of worship. It’s not about perfection, but about giving your whole heart. Whether I’m designing, writing, or helping someone publish their dream, I give it my all. Colossians 3:23 reminds me, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” That’s how I show honor to providence.

12. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.

Growth lives just beyond the edge of comfort. From starting my own business to pushing creative boundaries, I’ve learned that every challenge reveals a new strength. God often leads us into places that stretch us, because He knows what we’re capable of, even when we don’t. Challenge is not punishment; it’s preparation.

13. Success is for everyone; we all get a chance at it.

There’s enough room at the table for all of us. I’ve stopped comparing my pace to others and started nurturing my own lane. God’s blessings are not limited; His grace overflows. We each get a chance at success when we walk faithfully in our calling. Be inspired by others, but run your own race.

14. Let go and let God.

Holding on too tightly to outcomes breeds anxiety. I’ve found the most peace in surrender, in loosening my grip and letting God do what only He can. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Letting go isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom. And it opens the door for providence to move.

15. You are here for a reason!

Your very existence is intentional. Every gift, every challenge, and every season is woven into a greater purpose. I wake up each day reminded that I’m not random. And neither are you. Jeremiah 1:5 speaks this truth: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” You were designed for impact.

16. Work hard every day!

There’s no substitute for consistency. I’ve seen the fruit of disciplined effort in my work, my art, and even my healing. Talent is a gift, but effort is a choice. I’ve chosen to keep showing up, trusting that every small step matters. Because hard work, partnered with grace, is unstoppable.

17. Travel when you can.

Travel has expanded my vision and deepened my gratitude. Each new place reveals something fresh about the world and myself. It reminds me that God’s beauty is vast and endless. From coastal sunrises to savannah sunsets, creation itself whispers His wonder (Psalm 19:1).

18. Worrying about the unknown causes you to stress over nothing.

I’ve wasted too much time worrying about things that never happened. Worry drains today of its strength. Matthew 6:34 gently reminds us, “Do not worry about tomorrow…” When I trust God with what I can’t see, peace floods in. Tomorrow belongs to Him; today is mine to live.

19. Don’t take chance for granted.

Opportunities are seeds… They must be planted when they come. I’ve learned that hesitation can cost more than risk ever could. When God gives a nudge, move. Don’t sit on your dreams. Step out in faith and trust that grace will meet you there.

20. You are your reassurance.

There will be seasons where applause is absent and affirmation is quiet. I’ve had to be my own cheerleader, speaking life over my vision when no one else saw it. You are your own encouragement, your reminder that you are built for this. Speak to yourself with kindness and confidence.

21. Patience is a virtue!

I used to rush everything, but growth taught me to wait well. Patience has become a teacher, shaping humility, trust, and peace in me. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything…” I’m learning that what’s mine will come at the perfect time.

22. Speak it into existence.

There is power in declaration. I’ve watched dreams take shape simply because I dared to speak them aloud. Words shape our world. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” So speak with intention, faith, and vision. Your words plant seeds.

23. The good news is that nothing lasts forever; bad times will pass, so cherish the good.

Life moves in seasons. I’ve sat through storms that felt endless, only to see the sun rise again. Pain is temporary, and joy is fleeting too, so I’ve learned to embrace both. Capture the good. Soak it in. Let it remind you, especially in the hard days, that light always returns.

24. Pray without ceasing!

Prayer is my lifeline. It’s where I breathe when I’m overwhelmed and where I anchor when I’m drifting. It’s not about perfect words; it’s about honest ones. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray continually.” For me, that looks like whispered thanks, silent pleas, and steady conversation with God all day long.

25. When you give, give without expecting anything back.

True generosity comes from the heart, not the hope of a return. Whether I’m giving my time, ideas, or resources, I’ve seen that giving without strings always brings a deeper kind of fulfillment. Sow with love, and let God handle the harvest.

26. Everything happens for a reason and happens in God’s timing.

This is the heartbeat of providence. I’ve seen delays that later made perfect sense, and losses that paved the way for better blessings. Every moment, the joyful, the painful, the quiet, is held in divine hands. Trust the process. God’s timing is always intentional, never random, and always right on time.

Final Thoughts: Walking in Providence...

This manifesto isn’t just a list; it’s a lifestyle. It’s how I align myself with grace, pursue purpose, and honor the God who orchestrates it all. Each phrase is a thread in the larger tapestry of my life, shaped by faith, resilience, creativity, and divine timing. May these words spark something in you, a reminder that your life is divinely timed and deeply meaningful. Living boldly, trusting the journey, believing that God is guiding your way!

THE ART OF EMBRACING THE UNEXPECTED

 

“Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life,” R.I. Fitzhenry once said… and the more I live and create, the more I feel the truth in that. Life is anything but predictable. We make plans, set goals, map out the weeks and years ahead, and try our best to stay on track… but somehow, God always seems to have a different idea. And if we’re being honest, that might just be the most beautiful part.

Imagine for a moment if life went exactly as planned. No twists, no sudden detours, no unexpected encounters or opportunities showing up at just the right or wildly inconvenient time. Wouldn’t it all get a little dull? A little too perfect to feel real? In the same way a story loses its spark when you already know the ending, life loses its flavor when everything is certain. It’s the mystery, the not-knowing, the surprise of it all that makes things meaningful. The unknown is where life blooms… not in the carefully scheduled, but in the in-between moments we never saw coming.

As a creative, I experience this mystery almost daily. When I sit down to design, whether it’s a piece of art, a logo, a book cover, or a digital sketch, I might start with a vision in mind. I might have a plan, a mood, a color palette… but somewhere along the way, something shifts. The design starts to breathe on its own. It takes a different turn, softens in areas I didn’t expect, or bursts into something bolder than I had imagined. What I end up with often surprises even me.

There’s a quiet magic in that… in creating something that doesn’t look exactly like the version in my head, but somehow feels more alive. Each finished piece becomes a mix of thought, emotion, timing, and something else I can’t quite name. It’s like a dance with the unknown… part instinct, part imagination, part surrender. And even when the process feels unsure, the outcome almost always carries a beauty I didn’t plan for.

I think life is like that too. We don’t need to have it all figured out. We just need to keep showing up with open hands, with curiosity, with courage, and a little faith. Sometimes things don’t go the way we hoped… but other times, they turn out far better than we dreamed. The breathtaking parts of life are often the ones we didn’t see coming… the unplanned detours, the chance encounters, the work that unfolds better than we envisioned.

So here’s to the mystery, the unpredictable, the unplanned. Here’s to designing, living, and dreaming without all the answers… and still making something beautiful.

WHEN NO ONE CLAPS… CLAP ANYWAY

 

There are days as a creative when it feels like you’re shouting into a void… posting, sharing, building, pouring your heart into something only you seem to believe in. The world scrolls past, barely noticing, maybe even laughing, and deep down, you start to wonder if any of it means anything at all.

But here’s what I’ve come to realize:
It does.

Most people won’t support you at the beginning.
Not because they don’t love you.
Not because they’re against you.
But because they can’t yet see what you see.

They wait for the success, the finished product, the results that scream, “This is worth it.”
But we, the creatives, live in the process.
We create long before there’s applause…
Long before the outcome is clear.

There will be many moments when the only eyes on your work are your own.
No feedback. No likes. No sales. No confirmation that it matters.
And in those moments, you have to choose to show up anyway…
Not because it makes sense,
But because it’s in you.

I imagine mornings on a balcony…
Measuring success in the quiet, coffee in hand, eyes closed, heart full of questions.
I wonder if it’s all worth it, just like in my illustrated image.
But I know those moments are still part of the journey.
They remind me to breathe.
To be present.
To find peace in the pause.
Because of that stillness?
That solitude?
It’s where the next idea is born.
Where I gather the strength to try again.

I’ve had to learn to cheer for myself in the quiet.
When hope feels like a whisper
And doubt screams louder than the dream.

But just because no one sees it yet
Doesn’t mean it’s not working.
Just because I haven’t “made it”
Doesn’t mean I’m not becoming.

Every sketch.
Every caption.
Every late-night edit.
Every post that didn’t go viral…
It’s all part of something bigger.

We don’t always see the fruit right away,
But the seeds matter.
What you’re planting today will grow.
It might take longer than expected.
It might look different than imagined.
But one day, it will bloom.

Until then…
Let it cook.
Water it.
Protect it from doubt.
Speak life over it.

Even when it doesn’t make sense.
Even when you feel foolish.
Even when you’re tempted to quit.

Clap anyway.
Applaud the effort.
Celebrate the heart, the vision.

Because one day, they’ll catch up.
They’ll see what you saw all along.
And when they do,
You’ll already be standing in the reality
Of what you once built in silence.

So if no one’s clapping for you today…
Clap anyway.
It’s not for nothing.
It’s never for nothing.

 

THAT SHIP SAILED

Time flies… and not always in a good way. It slips through our fingers in a way that makes you question if the moments of your past were even real… or were they just fragments of dreams? You find yourself stuck in memories, revisiting times when you complained, unaware that those were some of the best days of your life… or were they? Can it get better than that? You grow up, and days that once felt like months and months like years now vanish in a snap. Time seems to move faster, maybe because we’re years beyond decades now. Still, even as time rushes forward, maybe… just maybe, the future can still be beautiful.

You remember being a free spirit, living in the moment, doing things simply because you could. Taking chances because you believed you had all the time in the world. But time has a way of revealing itself… of slowing down just enough to show you how far you've come and how much you've changed. You begin to realize your past now stretches longer than the future ahead. And with that realization, questions come rushing in — were those choices you made truly yours… or were you just following a path laid out by someone else?

You start questioning your entire being, like this life is borrowed… like we’re all just living on borrowed time. You become more cautious, more calculating. You take fewer risks because you’ve learned to value time in a way you didn’t before. You understand now that long life isn’t promised — it’s a gift, and not everyone receives it.

People begin to question your path… and maybe you feel judged. But deep down, the harshest judgment comes from within. You carry your doubts. The “what ifs” get louder — what if I had done things differently? And all you can do is imagine. Because time doesn’t wait, and you know you can’t afford another regret. You no longer have time for more “what ifs.” Everything becomes a now-or-never situation.

You don’t jump the way you used to. Not by faith. Not anymore. Because you’ve leapt before… and you know how that turned out. Now, you only move when you’re sure. Not out of fear, but because you’ve learned. Because experience teaches you what time never warned you about.

That ship sailed. And it’s not coming back.

You start to see the consequences of your choices. The life you could have had stands beside the one you do… and you feel the weight of that. But you also begin to understand something deeper. Letting go is hard, but it’s necessary. Making peace with your decisions is the only thing that gives you sanity. Acceptance becomes your anchor — not because you gave up, but because you chose to survive.

Because that’s all it was — a “what if.”

That ship sailed, and now it’s time to move forward. To stop staring at the water hoping for a return that will never come. It’s time to make new plans, chart new paths, and write new beginnings. To trust again… even if cautiously. To try again… even if differently.

The future waits. And maybe, just maybe, it can still be beautiful.

 

A SEASON FOR EVERYTHING

 

Life comes to us in seasons.

Not the neat, predictable kind like when summer softly hands over to autumn or when winter eventually warms into spring. No, the real seasons of life come unannounced. Some slip in quietly, others arrive with thunder. They do not follow calendars or cues. They do not ask for permission. And often, they do not make sense.

You may find yourself in a season of grief while laughter still lingers in the corners of your room. You might be mourning one thing and celebrating another. It is confusing, yes, but it is real. That is the thing no one says out loud — emotional seasons rarely travel alone. They blur together like colors on a wet canvas, never staying within the lines.

There is a time to cry, a time to pause and wait, a time to prepare in silence — the kind of preparation that happens in your spirit, the one that grows in secret while no one is watching. There are seasons made for quiet prayers and faith that holds you up when you feel like falling. Then there are the lighter days, seasons that shimmer with joy, with laughter so full it fills the room, and with love so true it makes your heart dance without music.

Sometimes, there is peace — not loud, not dazzling, but deep and gentle. The kind that sits with you like an old friend and reminds you that comfort is also a blessing.

But the heavier seasons come too. The ones of pain. The ones of jealousy and longing and heartbreak. Seasons that sit in your chest and refuse to leave when asked. And yet somehow, even in these, there is something to hold.

Because life does not sort these seasons in straight lines. You may laugh while your heart aches. You may feel love and resentment all at once. That is not contradiction — that is how we survive. That is how the mind protects itself. That is how the soul grows.

There are days I wish I could bottle the good moments. Freeze them. Keep them on a shelf and visit them when the world feels too heavy. But life does not give us that power. We do not get to choose which moments stay and which ones slip through our fingers like sand.

Still, we remember. We carry our joy like a lantern when sorrow comes calling again. We gather our pain and turn it into wisdom, into warning signs, into prayers we whisper for others walking a road we know too well. That is what growth looks like — quiet, steady, often unnoticed, but always real.

We do not love only once. We love again and again. Because the heart was made to hold many. And in loving, in remembering, we return to the seasons that shaped us. We step into them once more, even if just for a moment.

And maybe that is the most beautiful thing — not the seasons themselves, but the way we carry them. The way they live within us, even long after they’ve passed.

Seasons will always come. Sometimes softly, like a breeze, and sometimes with winds strong enough to shake the soul. But they will come. And through them all, we will feel, we will learn, we will grow. And that, that is what makes it all worth it.

DARK THOUGHTS WONDER

 

The mind of an artist… wanders.
It gets loud sometimes and quiet at others, but it always battles.
I find myself constantly overthinking, imagining everything, both the beautiful and the bleak.
Sadly, my thoughts often lean toward the worst-case scenarios.
It’s strange how darkness has a way of creeping in, even when we crave the light.

Isn’t it something… how people barely notice you when you’re alive but will fill up a room when you’re gone?
They’ll cry, speak sweetly, and reminisce about your best qualities.
Yet the crowd is smaller on your happiest days, like your wedding.
Sometimes filled with envy, silent judgment, or obligation.
And it makes me wonder — why does sorrow unite us more than celebration?

It’s funny how we romanticize weddings so early in life… while funerals remain unspoken.
We plan weddings in our minds for years… dresses, colors, vows.
But barely think of funeral arrangements.
Even though marriage is a maybe, and death is a guarantee.

People show up for grief in ways they rarely do for joy.
We gift more, travel more, cry more, hug tighter.
Maybe because sorrow is familiar.
It humbles us.
It reminds us that life is fragile, and in that realization, we connect.

Joy is measured… like people hold it in carefully.
But pain? Pain is heavy.
It demands space, time, courage… community.
And maybe it’s not just the loss that overwhelms us, but the weight it leaves behind.
The burden is rarely for the one who passed… it rests on the shoulders of those who remain.

There’s a kind of silence that follows loss — one that echoes louder than words.
In those moments, we remember to be human.
To check in.
To say “I’m here.”
To hold each other, even if we don’t know what to say.

Still, somehow… in all that heaviness, there is love.
In showing up, in tears shared, in silence held.
What consoles us… is that we’re there for each other.
And maybe that, in itself, is a kind of light.

WHEN THE WORLD DOESN’T SEE YOU

 

In the silence of it all…
You begin to retract, slowly. Not with a loud bang or dramatic exit, but with a quiet fading…
like morning mist under a rising sun.
There’s no audience, no applause.
Just the weight of your thoughts echoing in a room full of noise.

You look around and see the world, so vibrant, fast, and full of voices and color…
and somehow, you still feel unseen.
You wonder, is it me? Am I the ghost here?
Am I the only one who pauses in a world that glorifies motion?

The work you’ve poured yourself into feels like it disappears into a void.
You give, and you give, until the giving feels like grief.
You laugh less, create less, trust less…
Because what is the point of speaking if no one is listening?

And then the questions come. The dangerous ones.
Does any of it matter?
Do I matter?
You try to hold on to the remnants of what once was…
the passion, the excitement, the drive…
but even that feels like a distant echo.

You want to believe your efforts count for something.
Surely, they must?
But the world has a cruel way of measuring worth.
Numbers. Attention. Engagement. Results.
And when you don’t see the reward, you begin to question the reason.

Envy, that quiet intruder, seeps in.
You start to compare.
Others’ success. Others’ spotlight. Others’ rise.
And all you see is your stillness in contrast.
You think about the hours, the tears, the sweat… and ask,
Was it for nothing?

Time passes.
And with it, hope sometimes slips too.
You begin to believe that maybe this is it.
That life passed you by while you were busy trying.
And after all the consistency, the showing up, the hard work…
There’s nothing tangible to show.
Nothing that feels like success.

But what if… just what if… you are wrong?
Or what if I am right?

But before you go too far into that darkness, remember this...

Your value is not dependent on being seen.
The world has a way of delaying recognition for those whose hearts are true.
Some seeds bloom in a week, others take years... but both were planted with purpose.

You’re not invisible, you’re becoming.
The quiet seasons don’t mean you’re failing; they mean you’re growing roots.

Someone is seeing you.
Your work has touched someone, and even if it’s just one person, that ripple goes farther than you know.
You are not a waste of space. You are a necessary soul in a tired world.

You matter... because your voice carries truth, because your art exists, because your love reaches, because you still try.

So rest if you need to. Cry if you must. But please, don’t stop showing up.
There is more ahead, even if today it feels like less.