It's come to that time whereupon reflection and revision increase as the days remaining on the calendar decrease. As I look back at my goals for 2011, I feel satisfied to have achieved many of them. This has indeed been a year of reading well and getting to know myself. It has proved to be a year where friendships have been not only my saving grace but have also produced such joy and humility. I wrote about investing in friendships with the assumption that I would focus on being a better friend, however, this year I found myself leaning on and depending upon others in ways I had never imagined. For those of you who have comforted me as I cried, listened as I tried to make sense through confusion, and poured out stern advice along with gentle encouragement, thank you. Those two words are not nearly adequate, but with all my heart, thank you. Again I find myself asking What have you learned this year? How will you live differently based on your experiences? Will you look at the world differently? Have your priorities changed at all? Perhaps these questions seem cliche or routine to ask year after year, but I truly believe that "life without revision will silence our souls." So for 2012, here are a few thoughts I hope will guide my year:
2012, a year of enjoying life. A year of seeking peace and making time to rest. A year of living well, in spirit and body. A year of taking walks and soaking in small moments. A year of being honest with others. Continuing to read well and beginning to increase my library. A year of baking - with friends, for friends, for myself. A year of writing. A year of giving my time more generously to family and friends, instead of just fitting them in. A year of planning to make no plans, just enjoying moments and fun. A year of trusting, in myself and that all things will work out for good in their own time. And finally, a year of laughter, because I've had enough tears this past year to last through the next.
I have no idea what 2012 will hold, but I hold onto hope and optimism that the heartache and mistakes of the year past will result in growth that will bring joy and wisdom in the year to come.
