The past couple of weeks have provided a much needed, restful vacation following a full, busy year. I’ve enjoyed some down time, and for me that means allowing myself to do some mindless activities. Bay and I have watched a few movies, and read a few new novels, and eaten out a lot… For me, entering a new year is much like opening the initial pages of a new novel. I can’t wait to see what is written and how the story will end. I typically like happy endings…but not every story has one, that’s for sure.
More than making resolutions for a new year, I appreciate starting January 1 of the coming year with some kind of action plan. While not every story has a happy ending, it does help accomplish a “happier” one, when there is a plan. So, ushering in a new year is generally done with much reflection. I have my own mini-traditions. One of those is to get some time alone with the Lord, and sift through the good and the bad of the old year, seeking what life lessons I can walk away with to make the new year a better year (there are some lessons I’d rather not repeat). I like to ask myself a few follow-up questions as I close out the year. Questions like: What were some of my personally defining moments of this last year? What did I learn from someone else that impacted me in a positive way? Is there something I neglected this year – projects, standards, or goals that I did not complete? How are my relationships? I tend to need “closure” and this process allows that to happen.
Then, I intentionally check in on the following areas (please note, I did not come up with these questions on my own, but borrowed them from a friend who is much smarter, and more diligent than I):
What do I hope to accomplish in this next year? Dreams/Visions? Projects? How do I personally wish to grow?
Are there standards/goals to improve my soul health? my emotional health? my physical healthy? my relationships? my finances? With these things in mind – what action steps will I take; what books can I read; are there people who could mentor me; events I could attend; classes I could take; podcasts I could listen to… In other words, what can I do Monday through Friday to be intentional about these things?
As we’re still on the threshold of 2012, this is an invitation to carve out a day alone with God (DAWG), or a half-DAWG, and do a little strategic planning for a happier ending when the pages close on the story of 2012 next December 31.