New beginnings are so important! It’s January–a new year and a fresh start.
I’ve been reflecting on the various times of the year that feel like a fresh start. Every Monday feels like a new beginning. I love that! The school year is a huge new beginning! And every year on my birthday I think about who I am, what I want and how I can grow. And of course, the new year is a new beginning.
Here are some thoughts/goals/resolutions I am thinking over.
Blog more. I want to write more. I want to pour out my heart more. This space feeds my soul and I love connecting with you. I want to spend more time here this year.
Ask for help. I need to let others help me more–especially with David. I’ve hit some lows lately. I get tired, exhausted and discouraged because I’m doing too much and I’m not allowing others to help. And at times, I struggle with bitterness, even though I haven’t voiced my needs. This year I want to let go of some control and let others help more. It’s good for me and it’s good for David.
Allow downtime. I want to spend my downtime reading books and magazines more, and be on Facebook and Pinterest less. I want to shut down screens and enjoy quiet time in books and stories. I know this will lower my stress level!
Create with Matthias. I want to draw, paint, sculpt and take pictures with my younger son. I want to nurture his creativity and connect with him. I’ve got some fun ideas and I can’t wait to share the results with you!
Listen to David. He has so many thoughts, ideas and preferences. Every day he grows in his ability to tell me what he wants–not with words, but with gestures, pointing and leading me to things. The crucial part is, I have to slow down, pay attention and LISTEN. It’s hard for me! I get busy doing things that seem important when taking time to listen is so much more important. I believe listening gives a person dignity. I believe David’s opinion matters. I want to listen more.
Simplify. Especially the house. I want to get rid of things we don’t use or need. I want clear counters and less clutter. I’m pretty sure my soul will breath easier.
Be active. I just started working out at a local gym a few months ago and I love it! It was a very vulnerable thing for me to join a gym but I feel stronger already. I want to continue these workouts and perhaps increase frequency. I also want to walk and ride bikes/scooters with my boys more.
Pray. I want to use the ACTS model {Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication} to pray every day. Some days it may be a few minutes, sometimes more. I believe in the power of pray. And I need to spend more time praying.
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Do you have any goals for the new year? I’d love to hear!
It sounds like you’re looking for ways to nurture your soul while remaining in the journey with your family. I hope that you find that “more” writing won’t fulfill you as much as writing that stuff that is desirous of coming out and being shared.
Excited to follow along as you pursue your goals!
I find your posts so grounding. You have a voice and an honesty that is so easy to relate to. I too feel some of these needs. This is the perfect time of year to open our eyes more and try to actively do so.
Thanks for sharing!
Loved reading your thoughts on this year for you. So many of them are where I am at. Definitely wanting to do more with writing it down and making it more intentional. I look forward to catching you in this space more.
I LOVE this list, Lisa! Simple stuff but these are total perspective changers, life givers. So good!
This was the first year I chose one word to guide my start to 2015. The word God led me to is *Continue*. Continue believing Him in the word He has already begun and continue being faithful in the big and small of being a mama, writer, and follower of Christ. I wrote about it here: http://www.beckykeife.com/when-the-journey-forward-takes-you-back-and-my-one-unexpected-word-for-the-year/
You are so inspiring Lisa!Love your blog and your jewelry and art. Also love your sense of style in your home and would like to see more posts on that!
One of my 2015 goals is to spend more time having fun with and teaching my youngest son who is 13 and has down syndrome (i home school him) and finally getting him reading on a a functional level-he’s so bright and creative and I know this would only enhance his joy. Also more meaningful quality time with my husband, adult children, and grans. Trying new things and taking risks, and most importantly growing closer to Jesus!
I love these plans, and I also love the photos you chose to put with them. I want to read more, too. My word of the year, I’ve decided, is “free.” I just want to feel free and wild and do the things that give me that light feeling. Last year my word was “embrace,” and it really changed things in my life so much when I was always coming from that place of wrapping my arms around things. But now I need to rest! xoxo, lisa!
Happy New year, Lisa. These sound great!
Happy New Year! I look forward to reading your blog posts. This year, instead of counting my blessings, I feel led to write down a scripture verse, passage or inspirational thought that ‘jumps’ off the page of The Bible or devotional at me. I will still be thankful for all the blessings, but have chosen to listen and hear what God is saying to me. So far, many blessings have come from His word!
Bless you and your beautiful family in 2015!