All dressed up for the New Year!
I keep my beautiful white and gold journal on my nightstand and from time to time I jot down my prayers made and those answered. I like to keep track of dreams, visions, and goals too.
One habit I have held to close over the years is documenting what my key takeaways were for the previous year.
If I am being honest, 2019 was a beautifully difficult year. Beautiful in that I wrote a book in 90 days, facilitated my first keynote, celebrated 20 years married to my best friend, saw my son grow into a man and the understanding of his adoption story, to holding my dear friend Melissa’s hand as she battled cancer…once again. Life has definitely thrown us many curveballs.
If I can summarize 2019 with one word it would be…distracted.
2019 taught me many valuable lessons looking forward to what 2020 may bring!
My brother, Alex, once told me that as he navigates good opportunities, he has to be mindful that he can’t say yes to every good thing. That stuck with me. I can tell you that I experienced a ton of good things in 2019 that I pushed through and made happen. But with every good opportunity comes things you must sacrifice like time with family, friends and rest.
As I kissed my husband for our 21st New Year this morning I was reminded that for this coming year I have many dreams.
Dreams of moving into our new home this Spring or seeing our son graduate middle school. I also have a vision of how I’d like to see my career, blog, and writing evolve even more this year. Goals are good but they aren’t any good if you forget the things that matter most.
The one thing that I was reminded of as we gently kissed is that I want more moments like these. Moments that matter. 2020 taught me that being present is what matters most of all. Present in the moments when my girlfriends call me to cry or laugh about our real lives. I want to be present in spending time with my aging parents. I want to carve out more time with my brothers and sisters and laugh out loud like we often do when we are together.
Culture will tell you that this year you need to strive for more, spend more and give less. Exercise until your body hurts and focus on you.
Ushering in 2020 with my sister Yvette!
This year, I want my life to be about serving people well, being intentional about time with my husband and getting to know the young man my son is quickly becoming. For that to happen I need to available. So, this year, I will say yes to some good opportunities and no to all the rest. Here’s the thing, none of the accolades, accomplishments or achievements mean anything if I don’t have anyone to share them with.
I want to carve out more time with my brothers and sisters and laugh out loud like we often do when we are together.
I hope that my being present allows me to be more intentional about sharing my beautifully difficult life with you all in a way that lets you learn a bit more about my complicated charming life. That together we may grow in the things that matter.