Today, we are bustling about, getting things cleaned up and ready for the new year. We moved furniture in the boys room, bagged up donations and I'm running laundry til I run out of laundry to do. A new year is such an opportunity for a clean slate, and I love greeting it with as much freshness as I can muster. In the midst of the chaos of our final day of 2012, I'm pondering what has gone before and looking ahead to what is to come next.
I know I'm not the only one to take stock of life as the clock counts down on another year lived. It's normal for all of us to take a moment or two to pause and reflect. Casting a harsh eye on the days that have already been lived can make me squirm when I don't like what I see, but the days ahead are bright with sunshiney possibilities.
I have hopes for this year, yes. Big hopes. Perhaps impossibly big. I could make a list a mile long of improvements I wish to make, but it all seems to fall flat - dreams without a plan for execution are destined to remain just that, dreams. In the hopes of actually accomplishing a bit of my list this year, I'm aiming for small changes and hoping that these baby steps will lead to the stuff my dreams are made of.
The truth is, life is pretty full as it is, and I know I cannot add another thing, another goal, another habit - without letting go of some others first. In looking back I can see what needs to go in moving forward. I think this may be the hardest part of the New Year for me - shedding old habits to make space for the new. One of these areas is technology consumption, something I've been ignoring for a long time but can no longer turn a blind eye to. After a week unplugged, I can see that this is a tough area for me, and one that I need to make major changes to - both for myself and my family.
Navigating this new year is a thrilling prospect. I've got goals in nearly every area of my life - things I want to make, places to take my little ones, books to read and hopes for my faith life. But if I could sum it all up, well, it would probably look quite a bit like the goals I've had in past years: to live a more intentional life, embracing simplicity in hopes of narrowing my focus on what matters most to me.
It is a comfort to me to know that I don't know what comes next - that this year is an unwritten story that is mine to explore, day after day turning to the next like flipping through pages. A story I know I will be the perfect fit for us.
What are your hopes for the New Year?
{It's Mindful Mothering Mondays, a day to take a deep breath and write out your mothering journey, whatever form it takes. A day to link up for encouragement from others who are in this same phase of life. A day of writing out the trials and triumphs and what you're learning right where you are, right now.
You might post recent struggles or thoughts. Maybe just a picture or a quote. Or maybe you'll just come here and read the links that others post. Whatever form your participation takes, this is a day for you.
We are all in this, together. Together, we can encourage and build one another up, be honest with our shortcomings and strengthened by community to keep fighting the good fight.
I chose Mondays because what Mama doesn't need a little encouragement on a Monday? As such, I'll have the link up ready to go on Sunday night for you to begin submitting your links.
I hope you'll meet with me each Monday! Here's what to do ~
Link up your post below. Remember to put the link to the exact post you want to link, and not just your blog url. Include in your post a link back here so others who want to join in can find us! And visit some other Mamas who have linked up.
Post the community graphic within your post, so people who are reading your Mindful Mothering post can come back here and find the rest of us!
Invite the writers of your favorite blogs to join in!
Share this meme with others on facebook and twitter. This community is for all moms, and the more that participate, the more we will be able to enjoy!!}
Grab the graphic here:
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Happy New Year to you and your family, Lydia!
ReplyDeleteI know that new beginnings always make me very introspective. I'm hoping to follow the callings I have and that I will make my world a little bit better of a place.
A peaceful new year to you all!