About this time every year, there are a slew of social media posts and advertisements for making goals and New Year’s resolutions. Right? I’m sure you’ve seen them, maybe even clicked on them. But as much as I like to look forward to the new year and all the possibilities in it, I also like to look back over the year that’s passed. Every year gives us little gifts that we can learn from. Sometimes it’s a hard thing to look at. But here are a few things I learned about myself this year.

• I can only change me. That’s as much true in 2016 as it is in any other year (and still will be in 2017), but this year I learned it in a whole new, slap-you-in-the-face way.
• I like flats. If you’ve known me long, then you know this is shocking. I have a shelf full of 4-5 inch heels. (I mean, they aren’t really heels unless they are over 3 inches, am I right?) But I had to visit a chiropractor for the first time in my life (I might have been an itsy bit scared), and he told me heels put my hip and back in too much flexion FOR NOW. So I went out and bought a pair of flat boots that I could literally wear every day. I love them. I feel older somehow. But I feel comfy!
• I can live without internet in my home. This is a tough one, y’all. Let me set the record straight that I am not one of those crazed no-TV-or-internet-in-my-home people. Technically we have internet through our phones, but that’s not as convenient as it could be. We are constantly looking for what would work best for us and eventually we’ll have internet. However, this year in the time that I could have been surfing the internet or binge watching Netflix, instead I finished writing/rewriting/editing my new book (find out more here) plus read 50 books this year, many of which were about writing or book marketing. Just saying.
• I enjoy my children being home more than I ever expected. One of my biggest concerns with homeschooling was not whether I could teach them, but whether or not I could stand them being home. Every hour. Of every day. But I like it. Obviously, there are days I hide in the bathroom with the light off hoping they can’t find me. But most of the time, I enjoy hearing them play together or read together or just be together. I enjoy eating every meal with them (not necessarily cooking every meal for them, but…) and hearing all their little thoughts and opinions (on EVERYTHING). I’ve seen my daughter in an entirely new way. Her determination. Her leadership. Her tender heart. Her creative spirit. And I’m excited to see even more.
• I have something valuable to offer. This wasn’t necessarily a new revelation as much as a reminder. Something that we should all be reminded of. Friend, you have something valuable to offer your family, your friends, this world. We might get bogged down in the mundane of the everyday. Emails, to do lists, laundry piled over our heads, unexpected bills to pay, back aches that an aspirin just doesn’t help. But at the end of the day, our world couldn’t do without you. God put you in your community, in your job, in your neighborhood to fill a need. He’s placed you where you are for a reason. People are listening to you. Eyes are watching you. Ears are learning from you. You are valuable!

I’d love to hear something that you’ve learned this 2016. Comment below and let me know!

And now’s the time to decide, Who will you be in 2017?

 

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