Looking Back to Look Ahead

I was spending a bit of time the other day unravelling a mess of yarn. Somehow a neat ball of yarn had become one mass of knots!  So, I sat there meditatively working through it, undoing knots, pulling yarn through here and there, winding it until it was ready to be turned into something purposeful. 

This new skein of yarn has so much potential. What is it going to become? How am I going to engage with it? I think back to the knitting projects I've completed, the ones I never finished, the ones I frogged several times because I kept failing at it, and the ones I was proud of. And then I plan ahead and consider what projects I'd like to spend my time on. Which ones will be gifts? Which will be for me? What will they become?  How will I react to messes I'll encounter?

That mess of yarn reminded me of the year we have just come out of. So many times, I didn't know which way was up, which way was out! What to believe? What to do? What not to do? Who to listen to? My emotions ran the gamut from despair to hope, and everything in between. That was 2020. I want to learn from these last 12 months and enter 2021 with peace, purpose and expectancy. 

And to do that, I must first look back. Only then can I look ahead; how else will I  know where I am? 

What worked for me this year? 

What didn't?

What will I change? 

What will I continue to do? 

These can be heavy questions, but I'd suggest just starting with one thing. 

This past year was the first year I've ever used a bullet journal. This isn't a fancy schmancy expensive journal, just a basic hardcover, lined, spiral notebook. I bought it at a dollar store, and by trial and error, I created categories that work for me. This is an example of something I'm taking with me into 2021. Definitely! 

This past year I also let disagreements and disengagement fester much too long. I've realized life is too short to hold onto negativity. And so, by the grace of God, I'm letting that habit die (or wrestling it to the ground!)  One day at a time!  This is an example of something I am NOT taking with me into 2021. 

Would you like to share what you're taking with you or leaving behind in 2021? 

Joys and Sorrows

I haven't been in the mood for writing much lately. Most of my thoughts tend to be towards the sorrows of this world right now. I have my opinions about what's happening and why. I'm not sure what organizations or people to trust with giving accurate information anymore. What I do know is that we all are called to do what we can to make this world a better place. We are all called to love each other. We are all different, in our personalities, strengths, passions, so our contributions won't all look the same. But, we can all do something. 

Despite the heaviness that lingers lately, there is still beauty in the world, and it's okay, even GOOD to enjoy it during this time. Maybe, especially during this time. After all, isn't the desire for peace and beauty the reason WHY we protest, help, pray, contribute?

As earthly human beings, we have to take account of an earthly future. For the sake of this future we must accept tasks, responsibilities, and joys and sorrows. We need not despise happiness simply because there is so much unhappiness. We should not arrogantly push away the kind hand of God because God's hand is otherwise so hard. I think it is more important to remind one another of this in these days than of many other things..."   

 (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, pastor in Germany during WW2)

From the book: Bonhoeffer:Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

K is for Kindness

 Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well with others.Cesar Chavez

Both children and animals are totally dependent on the care of others. Their dependency reminds us that we were all once that vulnerable. What a responsibility we have towards those who cannot speak for themselves!

We are teaching our grandson, by example, to be very gentle, and most of the time he is. If we see him doing otherwise, we remind him that Enzo needs to be treated very carefully and that we are kind to our animals as well as our people.