I started my blog two years ago with this post, and last year, I wrote this post as the new year began. Reading those back now gives me a very warm and fuzzy feeling.
2018 was, indeed, a sequel to 2017, just as I’d hoped and prayed for it to be. And for everything I set out to accomplish last year (and even the year before), I can see looking back where and when God stepped in to help me along the way and guide me in directions I didn’t even know I wanted to go. I’m grateful for 2018, and I have many, many things to be grateful for in it. Last year, I prayed 2018 would be just as great of a year as 2017; this year, I’m praying for a third installment.
I like to reflect on the previous year and I try to have a few goals/resolutions in mind as I walk into a new year. So in the spirit of doing that, I’ve followed these reflection and resolution prompts that have been circulating around Instagram. I thought they looked fun, so I decided to share!
3 words to describe 2018:
“I’m so thankful!” This should probably be something like “lovely, wonderful, adventurous” and though 2018 was all of those things, those words don’t seem to do it justice. I’m grateful for the blessings that 2018 brought to me and to my family, and my prayer is that 2019 will do the same.
An achievement you’re proud of:
I got a job as a full-time editor after a long series of interviews. While I’m proud of that, I know it was God who opened those doors to give me such an opportunity.
Biggest lesson learned:
Under promise and over deliver. This principle holds true in lots of aspects of life—not just work. It’s not that I tend to sign up for something and halfway do it; when I sign up, I sign up. But this year I’ve realized that it’s even better to commit to less on the front end and be able to deliver more on the back end.
TV series you were hooked on:
Gilmore Girls! I’d never gotten into this show before, but it turns out all the hype was truth.
Best place you visited:
I have a couple places on this list. I’d been wanting to go to NYC, and I got to see so much of it while I was there. That trip was definitely a highlight. I also went to Asheville, North Carolina, with my parents, and though I’d been to Asheville (to visit the Biltmore), I’d never been downtown. That was a great trip exploring the city. I also went to Atlanta with my brother and sister-in-law to visit her sister. We had such a fun time—and saw Taylor Swift so that was cool. 😉
A goal for 2019:
Generally, I’d like to keep traveling. But more on specific goals below.
I want to become:
1. Better at making decisions. What I mean here is that I want to make decisions better—faster, smoother, easier. More often than not, I belabor the whole process. And while there is value in being thoughtful and careful, there is equal value in keeping processes easy—and not making them excruciating. 😉
2. More easy going. Sometimes, I just need to chill out. I’d like to try to go with the flow a bit better. I’m not exactly wired to be easy going, but I never want to use the excuse, that’s just how I am. I’ll work on it. 🙂
I want to start:
Cooking more.
I want to stop:
Hitting the snooze button.
I want to learn:
More about the Bible. I want to read it more, I want to study it more, and I want to make it a part of my absolute everyday.
I want to visit:
Lots of places! I’m making plans to travel a bit more this year, and during months I’m not traveling, I want to make it a point to go to a fun event in Nashville. (I love doing this!)
I want to give:
As much encouragement through my writing as possible.
Most important are the prayers I have for 2019. Just as a prayed 2018 would be as great of a year as 2017, I pray the same for 2019!
AshleyW says
Reading the Bible more was on my list of to dos for this year as well. I am following the chronological calendar and reading through it this year with my two older kids. It’s good accountability and the intentionality of it is helping me see things differently.
As for the snooze button, quit it cold-turkey! 😉
admin says
Yes! I’ve found when I’m reading my Bible every day, it just really changes my perspective and how I view even little everyday tasks. I’m doing good on the snooze button issue so far…what a time waster! Thanks for your note!