>A Look Back, A Look Forward

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I am a few days late, I know, but I think 2011 is still new enough to allow for a little bit of reflection on the going of an old year and coming of a new. 

I’m not one to fall in with the traditional New Year’s resolution mentality.  Why set myself up for failure because of unforeseen circumstances?  But when making resolutions is viewed from the perspective of laying out hopes and dreams for a stretch of time, I love to look back and see how those hopes and dreams were fulfilled in the previous year and what I hope and dream of for the coming year. 

So, how did 2010 shape up? 

• We moved, yet again.  In fact, we’ve moved every calendar year since 2006 except for 2007.  Yes, we’ve gotten good at it.  No, we don’t want to get any better.
• I wasn’t nearly as diligent in maintaining and improving my health as I was in the latter half of 2009.  But, I was still much better than I had been leading up to that point. 
• Although the hope wasn’t sparked until March, I had hopes of starting my Masters in Christian Education in 2010, but that wasn’t what God had in store.  Still, I took the first steps in that direction by being accepted into seminary.  So, that’s definitely a success, I think!
• I was not nearly as diligent with Polish through the year as I intended to be.
• I was more diligent about getting up in the mornings than in previous years.  Still much room for improvement, but I was reminded that I really do like the early morning hours. 
• The “getting up” diligence also impacted the Bible study consistency.  It’s much easier for me to have that quiet time in the early morning hours than later in the day. 

That’s definitely not an exhaustive list, but those are the things that stand out to me the most. 

So, what are my hopes for 2011?  Well…

• I think it’s about time to break the moving trend and start a new trend – stay in one place and see how many different ways the furniture can be rearranged in the coming years.  Much easier than moving, wouldn’t you agree?
• I hope to take my first MACE class.  Maybe in August? 
• I have a time set aside every day to work on Polish.  Starting tomorrow. 
• I’m going to dive in and start an Etsy shop, but the challenge will be to not let it take over my days.  I’m going to try to sell ties and fleece scarves.  They are fun to sew, and I’m curious if they’ll sell.  Besides, the extra money would be nice!  But, I want it to just be a side thing.  A couple of sewing hours on a couple of afternoons a week.  We’ll see how it goes. 
• Of course, there are the standard hopes to exercise more, eat better, stick with the schedule better, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.  Yes, I’m intending to do all of those.  Yes, I know I will have good days and bad days, good months and bad months.  But, I’m looking forward to it, too. 

Then there’s the “big one.”  Years ago I was told I should write.  Really write.  So, after several years of just writing for myself in my journal, I started blogging.  February 20 will mark three years of blogging, and I have loved every minute of it!  But, there’s still this nagging – both internally and from others – that says that’s not really the fulfillment of my hunger to write.  So, I’m going to try to really write.  It’s a terrifying thought.  Partly because I don’t relish the inevitable rejection and criticism.  But, I think there’s an even deeper fear.  There’s the fear of guidelines and deadlines and having to work on someone else’s schedule.  There’s a freedom in blogging.  I blog my way with  my topics on my schedule.  I fear not being able to keep up if I were to start writing for more than just my own personal pleasure.

But, I think I’m finally beyond fighting it.  I think it’s time to give in.  I don’t think this step has anything to do with hungering to get published or have a wider audience.  It has more to do with the realization that I’m supposed to write.  And I have to be obedient.  I have no idea where it will take me or who I am even going to be writing for.  But, there is simply a realization that I need to be ready to walk through whatever doors God opens.  We’ll see what comes of it. 

So, that’s my look back at 2010 and my look forward to 2011.  I’m already looking forward to re-reading this post on December 31 to see how reality compared to hopes.  I’m sure it will be wilder and more fantastic than I can even begin to imagine!  Why?  Because that’s the way God works.  Above all, I am excited to see what He does with 2011.

Happy New Year, everyone!