Happy New Year!

At this time of the year, I am busy looking back at the past year - what worked, what didn't, what I'm letting go of, what I'm looking ahead to, etc.. I've even pondered my word or phrase for the year, but that's not as clear as I'd like it to be yet. And of course, I'm setting some 'intentions' - what I'd like to have completed/accomplished in 2023. 

And then I came across this (older, but still so relevant!) song by Carolyn Arends (a Canadian singer/songwriter) in a newsletter in my inbox,  and it reminded me to chill! :) 

Hope you enjoy! 

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? 

Picking up the pieces

This little book of reflections called Winter's Promise by Ken Gire , is so full of gems! Definitely a book to keep and to give as gifts to all your friends haha! Well, especially those who identify with winter seasons in their lives. Or at least those who admit winter IS a season. Life isn't one eternal sunshiny summer, although that does sound nice!

When suffering shatters the carefully kept vase that is our lives, God stoops to pick up the pieces. But he doesn't put them back together as a restoration project patterned after our former selves. Instead, he sifts through  the rubble and selects some of the shards as raw material for another project -- a mosaic that tells the story of redemption.  (p. 83)

Five Minute Friday: Breathe

Without thinking too much about it, after reading Paula's post,  I decided to take the Five Minute Friday Challenge - writing for 5 minutes on the word of the week, like a freewrite, so no editing allowed! Here goes...

Breathe. 

Just breathe. How many times have I said that to myself? Just breathe. Take a deep breath.

Sometimes circumstances are such that I feel my thoughts spinning or playing over and over like a broken record. Maybe it’s something I said that I regret. Perhaps it’s something I did that I can’t undo. And so I get on this track that’s moving so quickly, I can’t get off. Does that ever happen to you?

Sometimes I just need to take a step back and breathe. Slow my thoughts down and then sit myself down and tell myself the truth. Is this a life or death situation? Is this the end of the world as I know it?  Will I become homeless through these actions? Will I ruin someone’s life? The truth is, it’s uncomfortable, I am sorry I made that decision, and yes, it even hurts a little. Especially when it’s not the first time it’s happened. Big reveal: I’m not perfect. 2^nd Biggest Reveal: And that’s okay. In fact, it’s good. Can you imagine how much pressure there is on having to do everything right ALL THE TIME?

So, after a ‘cool off’ period with myself, somewhat like being penalized in a hockey game (mind you, I have rarely played hockey!), I calm down and it doesn’t seem like such a big deal anymore. What was I all flustered about anyway? It was one little mistake.

And I breathed. 

***

There.. that wasn't so bad ;)