Hello everyone and welcome to the ABP blog! Today, I’m diving deep… but also keeping it short.
For those who don’t know, I chose VALUE as my word for 2020.

To be 100% transparent, I originally chose value because I want potential clients to see the value of my work. In the last few months of 2019, I kept hearing “you’re too expensive”, “I know someone who is charging way less for the same stuff” or frankly just got ghosted (inserting to say DON’T BE THIS PERSON). Though life was good and I loved my job, that negativity took a toll on me. Yes, I know I’m more expensive than others and that’s okay because I truly feel my price matches not only my talent but the experience I strive to give my clients in Virginia, in Mexico, etc.

However, what I didn’t realize until recently was maybe my word of the year wasn’t meant just for my professional life but first, my personal walk. This past Tuesday, I attended Kainos at First Baptist Church in downtown Roanoke and HOLY WOW! To preface, I’m a Christian and was brought up in the church so before you think this is a sermon, it’s not! To keep things brief though, I’ve known about Kainos for years but never had attended. This time though, I decided to go and it was worship night… nothing but worshiping through songs the entire time. I was invited by a friend because they were starting with my favorite song, Hallelujah Here Below by Elevation Worship. As sang, I closed my eyes, tapped my hands on the chair in front of me and worshiped without a care. Surrounded by hundreds of others and yet, I felt like I was the only one in that sanctuary. It was liberating.

Three songs in, still singing, I realized the word I chose for 2020 not only spoke volumes to me professionally but I needed it to speak louder to me personally. If you’re still reading this, I’m sure you’re saying “Duh Anna, you have to value yourself” but that’s not what I mean. I mean I need to truly VALUE myself. Value the breath I breathe, the things I have, the connections I share and the one who provides all of that for me. How He gave me the talent and passion to share with others! In turn, I learned value isn’t received without being given.

So, I snagged a picture of the set list we sang to share with you. Whether you are a follower or not, I urge you to check these songs out and if not, just listen to the first. After this, you’re going to think Hallelujah is my word for 2020 but it’s not, I think that’s my lifelong word!