Not gonna lie - I'm pretty proud of myself for the resolutions I did accomplish in the midst of this mess. ;-)
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Below is my official 2020 goals list and the results:
1. Well, not so much on the sending 3 letters per month plan, but I wrote and mailed 36 personal letters this month, and that is definitely a win!! ...My list included 2 cousins, 2 aunts, 3 guy friends, 9 girl friends, 2 high school friends, 1 family friend couple, 1 mentor/friend, 1 college professor, 1 mom, 1 dad, 1 sister, 3 nephews, 1 niece, 6 Christian authors, aaaand 2 Peloton coaches! YAY!!!
2. Part of a message I sent to a friend just over a year ago: "I’ve talked to a few different adoption agencies this year, and I’m tentatively planning to begin that process toward the end of 2020 unless something drastic changes in the meantime."
...well played, God! lol
Something drastic DID change, globally. And it changed me and changed the way I think about the risks involved in becoming a single parent. This was going to be my final year of taking relatively carefree trips (DC, Disney, and the Alaska cruise)... all of which were, of course, cancelled. Navigating daycare and school/homeschool/virtual school was difficult for most parents throughout 2020, and I must say I'm thankful I wasn't in that group yet. I'm not sure what the future holds for me here, and that's okay right now. I want to walk in courage and love and a sound mind and wisdom... and I'm confident that God will show me what is next.
3. Hahahaha, #illegal. Honestly, I saw one or two friends a week at work or for lunches or dinners even through the ongoing pandemic. My year of "connection" became much more focused on texts and letters, but I prayed a lot and learned a lot and did my absolute best to cultivate healthy connections, and I'm super thankful for the close relationships in my life!
4. My goal was to read 12 books and not to waste $ on books I'm not reading. I let go of the physical book part of this goal, and I am currently reading book #45 for 2020, many of which were free audiobooks from the library app. So mission very much accomplished!!
5. DONE! (And for what it's worth, I do not recommend the chronological plan... I strongly prefer a bit of variety. In this reading plan, if the same story appears in Kings and Chronicles, you'll hear it twice in a row. Or if the same story appears in each gospel, you hear that 4x right after each other. I did not even start the New Testament books until very late in the year, and I didn't love that either - it's a looooot of Old Testament with no breaks or throwing in a daily Psalm. So definitely doing a different plan from here forward, but I'm glad I tried this so now I know.) I have loved my Write the Word journals, though - I highly recommend those - short and simple, with a space for gratitude and writing down prayer requests or things God is speaking to you!
My Top 5 Lessons from 2020:
1. We are very much not in control. But our God is, and we matter to Him. He cares about everyone and everything we care about.
2. I have undervalued it in the past, but I believe God has gifted me with the ability to encourage others, and I want to take that seriously and love people sincerely and develop my gift and use it well!! (Romans 12:8-9)
3. "When people show you who they are, believe them." An old Maya Angelou quote that I've loved for a while, but it hit me several times this year. Whether it's friends who are willing to speak difficult truths and then stick by you and cry with you in hard times or people who phrase things well then push you away and keep their distance as you make every effort to grow closer, believe people's actions over their words. Easier said than done, and I'm definitely still working on it myself. I want to love well and have grace for people who are extra guarded while still commanding respect and knowing my own worth!
4. Do not personalize things that aren't personal. If someone you love is unable or unwilling to love you well, that is their heart issue and not yours. And it is a reflection of their personal values, not your value as a person. That lesson is finally sinking in for me in a new way, and I'm so grateful God has been patient and gone out of His way to show me this!
5. "Self-pity is poison, but movement is medicine!" ~Robin Arzon I have found this to be especially true in 2020, and I'm extra thankful for the gift of Peloton classes and coaches that have helped me get through this tough year feeling physically and emotionally stronger and more vibrant and capable!!
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