Another year has passed away, and a new year bursting forth. This could mean nothing less than time for reflections, reevaluations, and cliches about “another year gone, and a fresh new year here”.
Except, this time, I decided maybe Marc and I should approach our resolutions differently this year.
All the years before (when I have coerced Marc into formulating some sort of trite list), we accumulate a half-hour’s worth of ideas onto a pitifully jotted sheet of paper that we promptly fold up and lose. Novel ideas like “Say yes!”, “Read more”, “Save money”, and “Floss daily” end up lost and ignored for another 363 days or so.
This year, I feel no need to reflect on the past. After all, I only have to take a quick inventory to see that I squandered much of 2011 in a state of doubt and depression. Nothing about that is anything I want to relive.
Being that 2011 was one of the toughest years of my life, mixed intricately of residual blessing and fearing the future, I gracefully thank the year for lessons God brought me, and then let go. I leave my hands open to the adventure God holds for me in 2012.
Still, making a few, specific, resolutions can only help make the most of a shining year full of promise, right?
Here is where you can help. Help me get specific, that is.
1. Blog more.
Create an editorial schedule for two of my three blogs, and maintain them with regularity that I abandoned last year. Can you think of any topics, personally, professionally, environmentally, spiritually, maritally, or fertility that you would like for me to discuss? I would love your input, suggestions, or questions.
2. Read more.
I’m 32 this year. Did I mention that my birthday is New Year’s Day, meaning a new year really is a new year for me? For the last decade, I have barely picked up a work of fiction. I am quite a fan of non-fiction, and in the last year, specifically fertility books and spiritual books. I would like to create a list of 20 must-reads for my year though. Any suggestions. No summer beach-read types. No Twilight crap (no offense). I am thinking I would like to stick to non-fiction, biographies, spiritual books, or classic fiction or ground-breaking contemporary fiction. Please, help me make my list… and the sooner the better, since each day gone is one less to explore 2012!
3. Take photographs more.
Several years back, you could not find me at any event or holiday without a camera being stuck to the front of my face. Then, I got sick of the fact I was never in a single photo of holiday gatherings, and decided I would “rather live life rather than chronicle it”. Bologna. Now, I have about three years of life without any photographs to chronicle people and fun occasions. And people die. Photos are timeless. Any tips for getting back into the swing of things, or favorite photography tips?
4. Pray. Endlessly. Devoutly. Lovingly. Faithfully.
Two thousand eleven marked a year that I realized my decades of half-baked praying and attempts at convincing God that my plans were in His best interest were delusional. Then, I decided, why pray at all? God has it all figured out, right? So why ask for things He has already decided when I can just crucify Him all over again by assuming He will make decisions that only hurt me and piss me off?
Then I woke up and had a million messages whispered to me that I was to pray. Unceasingly. Unfailingly. With expectation. With great joy. With belief.
Still, I find myself having a hard time creating this practice. Any recommendations on how you have incorporated prayer as a meaningful, faithful part of your daily life and devotion are welcomed. Any scripture you refer to during tough times is appreciated. Sincerely.
We have a few other items on our list. Some much needed home renovation. Some preparations so that we are ready to be parents when God grants us that wish. Some art endeavors on both of our behalves. Things we are excited about and specific about, but the ones above, I would greatly enlist your advice on.
May you have a beautiful, magical 2012, as I know we will! Happy New Year, and if I can help you with your own 2012 adventures, please let me know!
Hugs and love,
~ Ashley Sue
[...] I am making resolutions this year, and with a different approach from last. I am more specific, first of all, as explained in my other [...]