Today is December 31, 2017. Another entire year has gone by and I’m sitting here today {finally} getting started on my goal-setting for 2018. I’m also reflecting on the year gone past. I’m actually in awe of how much has actually happened. Usually it’s really easy for me to focus on what didn’t happen; the goals I didn’t hit, the progress I didn’t make; the growth which didn’t happen; all the things that didn’t work. If I’m being truly honest, there were some big goals I didn’t even come close to reaching this year…and it’s a little hard to swallow. BUT, this year I’ve deliberately chosen to not do that. Rather, I’ve deliberately chosen to look at what did happen; the growth that did happen; the changes that did happened; the things we’ve gone through; the miracles which occurred; the blessings, the joys, the laughs, the love, the accomplishments, the progress, the lessons. Because, truly, it is a choice in how we approach our viewing of anything.
I think it’s easy for many of us to focus on what didn’t happen rather than what did happen, and I believe it has a negative impact on our how we move forward. Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t reflect on how we fell short ever, rather, we need to take a more objective approach to what we consider to be our failings.
For example, last January I set a very large goal in my business surrounding finances, but I didn’t even come close to reaching it. I now have the choice to either wallow and complain and think about how much I failed that goal, OR, I can take the objective approach and realize the truth of the matter: I wasn’t actually doing any income-generating activities. I have plenty of “plates” in which are all quite full and I chose to focus on/deal with those plates rather than really work on my income goal. It’s that simple.
When we take an objective approach to reviewing goals we didn’t reach or attain we are then able to think more logically about if we really wanted to reach the goal in the first place, what might be holding us back from the goal, if the goal was set up properly for us to succeed at it, and even how to better approach the goal if we do indeed desire that goal.
So as I look back on my year, I’m choosing to take both an objective and subjective approach: objective to those goals and visions in which haven’t happened yet, and subjective to those in which I’m not exactly sure how to measure…like my yelling…I know I yell less now at the end of the year than I was at the beginning of the year, but how much exactly? Not too sure. {Perhaps that’s something I’ll try to figure out how to measure for 2018.} Personally, I know this past year I still took on too much, spent too much money, procrastinated too often, wasted too much time, made too many excuses and ate too many chips. I also know, now that I’ve actually taken a good look on my 2017 year, I invested in my marriage, deliberately and intentionally; I began cultivating a more life-giving home – I do yell less, I’m more attentive, we take part in life giving activities such as observing YHWH’s Sabbath and His Feast Days, reading together, cuddling together and when the weather was right we got outside together; I overcame a really hard health challenge which was affecting numerous areas of my life; I grew in knowledge and understanding of many things; I realized more of what I actually feel called to do; I experimented with high-dose vitamin C {which had great results}; I discovered new music which I more than adore; I grew in my faith and understanding of YHWH’s Word; I was reminded, yet once again, comparison that causes me to doubt, look down on myself + others and causes me to enter pity-party-city truly is the thief of joy; I realized life isn’t worth wasting on things that truly don’t matter; I’ve fully realized I don’t want to waste my time wasting my life, I want to live my life in every moment, and do the things I’m called to be doing, not what others think I should be doing or not doing or anything else. I’ve realized, while I’m not perfect, my Saviour is and His plan for me is the right plan for me. Therefore, looking ahead to 2018, this will be my focus: His plan; His will; Him. For I’m trusting that when I stay in Him and in His will and His plans it is then that I truly live.
I encourage you, if you haven’t already, look back at your past year; ask yourself thought-provoking questions about what worked and what didn’t. Think about what truly mattered. Think about how you grew and became more of who you’re truly meant to be. And then set some goals for 2018; think about the ways you could become more of who you’re truly meant to be, and what Yahweh is calling you to do, for I know He doesn’t ever want us to stay exactly the same, but rather we are to always be growing in Him and becoming more like His Chosen and Precious Son, Yahshua {Jesus}.
This year, I encourage you to join me in choosing to deliberately become more of whom we’re truly meant to be, growing in every area of our lives and contributing to the world around us rather than taking away from it. I encourage to join me in risking more and living courageously; loving more and living generously; cultivating what true matters and choosing life rather than stagnation.
I’d love to hear what some of your goals are for this coming year! I’m here cheering you so share below and let’s make 2018 our year of moving up in body, mind and soul.
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