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? 

More

More. That's the word that I'm taking into 2018 with me. I don't do resolutions anymore, mainly because they don't really work for me. I do like to set goals or 'intentions' as is the buzzword these days, it seems. But I don't intend to list them or berate myself for failing to meet them.

Back to 'more'. This word is directly related to the verse I'm holding onto for this year.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen

Now, I'm not sure what this is going to look like for me and my family this year. But nevertheless, it is God's Word and since He doesn't lie, I'll continue to believe it. By faith, because isn't that the only way we can hold onto promises? We trust that the one who makes them will keep them. 

The Year That Was

Here we are... looking out over a vast space with no idea what is going to transpire in the next twelve months. Every year is like that.

I guess you could also say it's like being handed an unopened gift, but one that can only be examined one little bit at a time. No tearing and ripping into it.  Not until the end of the year are we able to look back and give an opinion on the year that was.

The year that was...
As I was journalling one day, I wrote an entry called Life and Death in 2017. Because it really was the year of life and death. Literally and figuratively. To sum it up,  it was a VERY HARD YEAR. And yet, it held some of the biggest joys of my life, too. Life is like that.

Truth be told, when it's hard, we really find out what we really believe and where we really put our trust and hope. We find out how important our community is. We are thankful for little things. We keep telling ourselves the truth. We take less for granted and we hold more tightly to things we value (and they're not really usually things). We know how fleeting life is. We only have today. Who knows what tomorrow brings?

My 'mantra' for 2017 was "Always, we begin again". It was so apt for me. I'm going to take that into 2018 as well, because I think it's a life saver. We can't look back and dwell on regrets or missteps. Yes, we can learn, but in the end, we begin again. Take what we've learned and move ahead. Begin again.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Next post: One Word 2018

Poof! Gone!

Just like the year 2015, my latest published post just up and disappeared on me. Poof! Gone! I still can't figure out what happened there, but suffice it to say, 2016 will be just fine without that post.

I had written about a challenge I had given myself on how to get my 'to read' booklist under control. In a nutshell, I've decided not to purchase any new books in 2016 (except with a gift card, etc). So, I've begun unsubscribing from Kindle ebook deals. It was tough, but sometimes the big guns have to come out. I've got the shakes, but I think I'll be okay. ;)

I made a list of about 21 books I want to complete before I read anything else. These have been set aside for easy access.  In the last two days, I've completed two, so I'm already whittling away.

My fiction to nonfiction ratio is about 2:19, which must be remedied. I need a little more FICTION in my life.  Honey For A Woman's Heart - growing your world through reading great books is a book I already own which I'm planning to refer to once my to-read pile has dwindled.

I'm also going to be ruthless about which books to complete. If it feels like work to get through them, I will add them to my giveaway pile. I feel better already!

Here's to another great year of enjoying and pondering new ideas, old ideas, truths and mysteries, fact and fiction.



Do you have specific reading plans this year? Are you a fiction or non fiction fan?

Reading update 2016

Finished/recommended:
A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
In Awe of God by Rita Peters

Enjoying:
Two Steps Forward by Sharon Garlough Brown (book 2)
A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L'Engle
Half the Church by Carolyn Custis James

Next in line: 
Farewell Four Waters by Kate McCord

2016 -- a year of plans and surprises

I'm just squeaking in under the wire with my year end post.

Mostly I just wanted to say Happy New Year to all of my fellow bloggers who have checked in on this little blog now and then. I know, I haven't been very consistent. So, thanks for following me by email or in your favorite reader this year, so as not to miss these important life-changing posts ;)  Seriously, I do appreciate you reading and commenting. Thanks! You are awesome!

I've read some very inspiring, encouraging thoughts approaching 2016.  So  many good words on so many blogs and in books.

The truth is, we might have many plans and goals for the New Year, but we don't really know what's going to happen. As Solomon said in Proverbs 19:21: We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails. (from The Message)
I don't see this as a warning. I see it as encouragement. God knows what He is doing. God sees from a different vantage point than we do. God is good and He is loving. So, we can enter a new year with hope and comfort, no matter what happens.

Expecting A Surprise

Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let's not be afraid to feel each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity. 

from Bread For The Journey by Henri Nouwen (Jan. 1)

 I do think making plans is a good thing. I can't help myself.. I keep thinking of what I want to challenge myself with this year. So, there's the balance.. making plans but holding them loosely.

Do you have big plans and dreams for this next year?

Happy New Year, everyone!

The Easy and Comfortable Life

It's at this time of the year that I can feel my stress levels start to inch up just a little, in anticipation of all the commitments coming up in the next few months. The sweet slower paced summer days will soon be over, monthly meetings reconvene, work gets into full gear again, church activities increase, ministry commitments begin, decisions on community classes of interest need to be made.. well, I'm sure you can add to this list.

It feels like the easy, comfortable life is over and REAL life begins again. And I'm not anticipating it, but rather dreading it just a little, to be honest.

This short video reminded me that the 'easy, comfortable' life is really not the goal and if I make it that, I will always be striving towards it and become dissatisfied with the everyday challenges and commitments that make up my one, precious, unique life. Do I really want everyday to be a day without something to stretch and grow me? Do I want to live in my own little selfish bubble where comfort and ease is king?

I was reminded that these challenges and commitments ahead of me, if I keep my attitude in check, are what can make for a fulfilling, passionate life.

It's in the giving that we receive.

My prayer is that I will remember this as I begin to plan and implement my goals and schedule this next season.

What did you think of this little video?

Time to Tidy Up

So, are you feeling that, with a new year, it's time to declutter and simplify your life? Me, too. That's why I decided to read the life-changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo. I wanted to gain some some new perspectives on decluttering, and definitely got that here.

Some of the info gleaned: 

• When simplifying your possessions, choose one category at a time and spread them all over the floor; then decide if each item "sparks joy". If not, give it away or discard it. For example, if you are purging books, empty all of your bookshelves in your home all at once. Then pick up each book and ruthlessly determine if it is a keeper. How does it make you feel?  Research shows that if you have a book that you are 'going to read one day', you most likely never will. Keep that in mind, too.

• Respect your clothing and fold items up neatly and mostly upright, not stacked or hung. They will be kinder to you.

• Shoeboxes are the best organizational tool, hands down.

• Storage containers (rubbermaid bins, etc) are NOT your friend. The smaller ones are a waste of money (see above) AND the larger ones just teach you to hoard. And they clutter up your home unnecessarily. If you are storing things, you probably don't need them. 

• A tidy home gives you peace of mind and  tidying up boosts your confidence in your decision-making ability (I could use that!)

• The reason you can't let something go is either because of attachment to the past and/or fear of the future.

• Letting things go teaches you that you can do without a LOT of things. And that regretting a decision is not the end of the world. 

• Letting go of things teaches you to make decisions based on your personal values, and this relates to your whole life. It helps you know who you are and what you really care about.

So, did I just read this book and do nothing? Remembering that my ONE WORD for this year is MOVE (as in: don't just sit there, do something!), I decided to begin tidying up. I began with my husband's t shirt drawer. I didn't take a 'before' pic. I really should have because those poor t shirts were a jumble of mixed fibers! No matter how many times I organize that drawer, it doesn't stay that way for more than 2 days. So, I followed Kondo's recommendation and did this:

And you know what? He prefers it! This drawer has stayed neater longer because hubs is not upsetting the stack when he chooses a shirt.

I also went through my drawers and compartmentalized with shoeboxes. Bingo! I also decided to be kind to my socks and not roll them up into a ball. Apparently, there's a better way. Just a couple of folds will do.

I don't agree with all this author suggests. I don't have a shrine in my house and I don't think my clothing or my house needs to be thanked for what they do. Yes, I appreciate them, but I thank God for them ;)   But, Kondo did confirm to me that I definitely have feelings toward inanimate objects such as jewellery, books, and clothing. I have gotten rid of a stack of joyless belongings, and really, I do feel better now.

I am planning to tackle my books and paper files gradually, just  because I'm a tad rebellious. I'm not going to dump all my papers or books on the floor all at once. That would just make me want to scream and run away.

So, are you ready to do some serious tidying up? Check out this book, but if you buy it, make sure it 'sparks joy' if it's going to take up space on your shelf!

Looking Ahead

Have you considered a 'One Word' for the year? The one I've decided upon, which seems to have chosen me, because I'm not really a big fan of it, is...

I was trying to think of words meaning the opposite of procrastinate, and I settled on this one. Maybe not exactly the opposite, but it seems to have grabbed me. 

Not long after this decision, my eyes landed on my little old desktop calendar/notepad of quotes I have near my computer and this what it said: Procrastination is a form of self-abuse. Whoa, that's a little harsh, isn't it? But maybe a confirmation. Anyway, so I've decided to stick with MOVE.  As in, don't just think about it... MOVE! proceed, advance, etc, How that plays out this year and if it will make a difference, we shall see. It can't hurt to focus on a word that brings positive change, right? 

I hoped to find a Bible verse I could settle on with the word 'move' in it, which would encourage me and this is the one that came to mind --Matthew 17:20. 

That's always been a somewhat perplexing verse to me, so hopefully this year it will become clearer. What does it mean to have faith the size of a mustard seed? I've got a few mountains that need to be moved. How about you?