I for one am so glad to see 2011 go! I am looking forward to a fresh year of opportunities and beginning a new chapter of life!
This time last year I wrote a list of New Year's Resolutions and posted them HERE.
I made a resolution to start my non-profit last year, and I DID! I put my heart into Owl Love You Forever, and it feels so amazing that the organization is doing so well! The feeling of checking a resolution off of my list is SO INCREDIBLY SATISFYING!
However, if you are anything like me, you avoid making New Year's Resolutions. Last year was my first year really writing them down and making a point to complete them. I am a perfectionist and the idea of writing down a list of things, I say I will complete, is scary. If I don't get to them all, or if I don't finish them with 100% effort, I feel like a complete failure. Therefore, to avoid the feeling of failure I just never really like to make them.
For the past four years I have had the same resolution. I am pretty sure you all know what I am talking about, I want a happy, healthy baby! Every New Year's Eve I try and picture myself celebrating the next Christmas, and I try with everything in me to see if Ferrari and I are holding our baby. I try and picture what it will actually be like when we have a child on Christmas Day. The emotions we will feel as we experience Christmas with the child we have been praying for and thinking about for the past few years. I can get excited really quickly, and I have to reign myself back in because I don't want to be let down or feel like a failure yet again. Well, I have come to the realization that my one resolution I have wanted more than anything, is one that is completely and utterly out of my control.
If I can get myself to just focus on today, and the opportunities that are before me today; I can avoid those feelings of failure for things that don't come in the future and that are out of my hands. What I can do is realize and understand that God has me where I am for a reason, and I may not understand it but I need to accept it. He has entrusted me with my experiences and expects me to move forward with FAITH in Him and what He will do on my behalf.
I have to constantly remind myself to change my perspective of life, and not focus on what I don't have but on what God has blessed me with. This is not an easy feat, but if I can do it successfully, God provides me with a peace that is unimaginable unless you have received it. My future is not in my hands, THANK GOODNESS. He is 100% in control of what comes my way in 2012, and instead of getting down because I can't control it, I am excited!! God never leads me where I expect, and going where He leads can be THE most EXCITING adventure ever!
Look around you, where has God brought you in 2011? Not what you expected? Get excited about where He may take you in 2012!
I challenge you to join me this year in waking up every day and asking God to use you. This could quite possibly be the most scary New Year's Resolution, but it is one that will never leave you feeling like a failure.
Lord, how can You use me today and every day this year?
This is so true. It is the hardest thing to do, but once we come to understand that God is the ONLY one who will ever know how to use and control our life, our job becomes a little easier:-) I am still a work in progress with this one- as I think most of us are- because it is hard to let go! But I am going to join you in this resolution this year. I am sorry that Christmas was difficult and I totally know what you mean about girl stuff...sometimes the stuff men go through seems like more fun! They don't have all the issues we women do:-( I will be praying for you and I hope that all of that stuff going on is now behind you too. This year is going to be both of our years! I too feel a connection, and you are right because it is different but much the same in many ways too. Prayers for 2012!
ReplyDeleteLove this, Shayla! I just wrote a post on my resolutions. I can't sleep tonight because I was thinking of them! I'll publish it tomorrow, so check it out ;)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo well said. I am struggling right now. I so much want control over everything that happens in my life and I know I need to let God take over and trust. Trust is really hard for me when the rug has been ripped from underneath me 8 times. I admire your courage and determination. Praying we all get our miracles in 2012.
ReplyDeleteI am so inspired ana amazed by you!! You are so stong and make me what to me strong in daily life and my walk with Christ. Praying for a miracle in the next yr. for you!!! So blessed to have met you and had a day to get to know you!
ReplyDelete