uh oh, we all know what january 1st means–a new year, and with it the usual new years resolutions. all of the things we start the year off thinking that we will do. eat better. exercise. be more content. stay in better touch with friends. reach our goals. wrap up projects that need finishing. the list for many goes on and on and on.
i tried to stop making new years resolutions a while back and just try to focus on one thing that i hoped for the new year. for 2009 one thing i committed myself to was to let go more, to try to not hold so tightly to things that weren’t in my control. it is definitely a spiritual discipline for me, and my ability to focus in on it has its ups and downs, that is for sure. it was not at the forefront of every day; but it was always floating around, reminding me to consider it in the midst of my nutty and often-unpredictable life.
this year, mine will be “enjoy it while you can.” my oldest is leaving for college on july 1st 2010 and i am coming face to face with the reality that our day-to-day is going to drastically change with his presence missing. so i want to soak in what i can, enjoy each moment while i can–and apply this not only to life at home but life at the refuge, in my relationships, in my day-to-day. yeah, i hope my 2010 mantra is “enjoy it.”
mantras aside, at the end of every year i like to take a little bit of time and reflect on the past year & think about the one coming, not to make lists of things that i will no-doubt-never-be-able-to-actually-do, but to give myself some time to reflect, to remember, to consider what’s ahead.
so here are some questions for me to consider, for you to consider. take some time and reflect on them, either quietly in your heart or on paper or on line, whatever works for you. i know, sometimes it feels corny, but if you just let it flow, it might feel good. i’m working on mine right now. enjoy.
in 2009…
3-4 words that describe this past year…
if 2009 was a book title, i’d call it…
i am really glad i tried….
something that really surprised me was…
the most courageous thing i did this year was…
i tried to let go of….
i tried to hold on to…
i felt more hopeful about…
i felt less anxious about…
a relationship i feel extra grateful for this year….
this year, i noticed God at work in…
in 2010:
words i hope describe 2010 are….
something new i really want to try…
a relationship i want to pour more of my heart and time into…
one way i want to take better care of my self is…
one way i want to reach out to others is…
i’d really love to experience more of God’s peace in….
i’m going to need God’s courage to…
this year I hope i let go of…
this year i hope i can hold on to….
one dream i have for 2010 is…
at the end of 2010 i want to be able to say…
happy new year to each of you. may we all feel God’s peace & presence & courage in wild and wonderful ways in the upcoming year.
