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| Image by ‘smil via Flickr |
The start of a new year symbolizes new beginnings. Opening up a new calendar fills me with can-do energy and is like a fresh warm breeze in my soul.
I cling to God’s promise in Isaiah: Behold I will do a new thing – Isaiah 43:19
Here are some of my random ponderings this week:
· I plan to reread my journal, reflecting on the past year’s life lessons and praying for guidance where to spend my time and energy in the coming year.
· I read on many blogs, that others chose one word or several words as themes. Though this hasn’t worked as effectively for me in the past I want to try it again. I sense the word: BECOMING and LIVING GRATEFULLY for 2012’s focus. I am also slowly hearing the word: WAIT. Perhaps because I have a tendency to rush into decisions, God is reminding me to listen first.
· Certain questions arise in my heart: What should I say yes to in 2012 and what should I say no to? What should I eliminate in order to grow? To become? Are my dreams and plans God-sized? What is holding me back?
· I wonder what my life would look like to LIVE GRATEFULLY. Read an interesting study the other day about gratitude journals. All of the participants kept a journal and were asked to write a sentence a week for ten weeks. The first group described five things they were grateful for. The second group described five hassles. The neutral group simply listed five things that had affected them in the past week. After ten weeks, the gratitude group was 25% happier than the other participants. In addition, the gratitude group felt better about their lives, were more optimistic about the future and reported fewer health complaints.
· Love this quote by Michael Mahoney: There are many things to be grateful “for” but, as I ripen with the seasons of life, the many reasons blend into a sacred mystery. And, most deeply, I realize that living gratefully is its own blessing.
· I hunger for some quiet time with the Lord. I want to snuggle in His lap and listen to His heartbeat. I will give Him all these rambling thoughts about 2011 and 2012 and know He will “do a new thing” with them. Here I am, Lord. Guide me
How do you approach the opportunity and gift of the new year? What is God inviting you to do in 2012?
