Reflections

It’s the end of the year, a time when people look back and reevaluate what they have accomplished (or not accomplished) in the past 365 days in order to better plan and create goals for the next year. This is a good practice, because if one doesn’t see where they have come from and make plans as to where they want to end up, they could get lost along the way. To see where you want to go and make a plan, a path, is quite the feat. Some years I am better at making (and achieving) those goals, than other years.

But don’t get lost in the trap that reflection can become. As some begin looking back, the wishes and dreams of things not accomplished are also seen. And for some, like myself, the negative is more prevalent sometimes than any and all the good that was done. Don’t get lost in the trap! Will there be disappointments? Yes, but that is how we learn and grow. Do we want that told to us in the moment? No! But that is where reflection and seeing how God took those low points and crafted something beautiful out of them. And if you don’t see that beauty yet, that means you are in the middle of God’s creating!

In going forward, what are you goals for 2020?

Mine are pretty much the same:
-read more books
-exercise more
-worry less
-love more

Notice a theme? “More” or “less” of something. I tried completely wiping out carbs or aiming  to “only” eat this or that. It doesn’t work like that (at least for me). I am not one who can cold turkey start or stop something. But that’s what is great about a new year. You don’t have too! You can start slow by just trying to do “more” or “less” of something everyday.

A new resolution: to write more here about the books I finish. In 2019, I read 50 books, many of those smaller than I’m used to, but they are longer series. I found that sometimes a smaller book is good for the soul. And I also rediscovered that I love making family trees of the characters within these interconnecting novels. But in looking back, I don't think I wrote about a single one! It doesn't really matter because I know there are not many of you out there actually reading this. And that's okay. It's more for me to sit back and reflect on the books I've read. To take a moment and savor. Enjoy.

That's what I want to do more. Enjoy. To have JOY.

It’s a new decade, a new year, and maybe for some, a time for a new point of view. Maybe this is the year you start working out more. Maybe this is the year you spent less time on social media.  Maybe this year you start that new venture or hobby you’ve been dying to try. Whatever you decide, remember, God is there with you in the good and the bad. “He will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6).  Take courage! This new year - God already knows the outcome. How reassuring is that?