What did you decide to do with this new year? Are you a little bit of a nay sayer that doesn’t like making goals, or don’t like to make a list of what you would like to accomplish in this new year because you don’t feel anything changes anyway? Or are you the person who sees value in thinking about the change you want to make within yourself, your daily living, your health, relationships, what needs to come BACK into your life, or activities? I know, it takes some honest moments for us to think about that, and most of the time, we don’t want to. I am one of the latter people as you may have figured out already. Not because I think it is going to change the world, although, it may change a few. But it is more about what I want to see differently in my life and in my surroundings. I make a list every year, but not all of it happens. I don’t care. Do you know why? Because… there are many things that do change. It keeps my focus on the right things. Ask yourself what you can do this year that will change even one part of your life…something that you love and enjoy the most. What would yours be? Pick just one. Let me know in the comments. Don’t think of it as some prison walls around you, but one thing that you love to do and commit to do more of it. Here are a few of mine. With all the moving and settling, I found many things had gone on without me. So some fun changes this year is in store.
⭐︎Photography is my favorite therapy. I have a couple books I am reading, online classes I am going to choose and take, and a couple lenses have come to live in my camera arsenal. It is a fun challenge as well to change things up and see differently through a different lens.
⭐︎Music is one thing that I have always enjoyed and I have many instruments, none of which I play really well. I don’t care about that either. I don’t play for anyone but myself anymore, but if it brings me joy, why would I want to not “get around to it”?
⭐︎Then there is another thing…I have a wonderful sewing machine that I love. Am I a great seamstress? Most certainly not!!! But I love to make crafty things or curtains or runners. But with all the moving all the time, I haven’t gotten that going, but I want to.
⭐︎I’m a reader. At one point I was reading a book about every week and a half. I wanted to read a book a week for a year. I made it to 46 one year. I love to read and I love to learn so I’m starting my year with a new book and making time for that, even if it is just 30 minutes a day. What a great way to getting higher learning!
⭐︎I want to have my quiet time and so I am getting back into that. Part of that will be using my Gratitude Jar; a different one this year with many personal touches. But this time keeps me focused on what is good and what direction I want to take in my day, and influences the way it goes.
⭐︎I need to establish a better health regime for several reasons. So I have started that. I didn’t get too strict with myself during the holidays, but I did be a bit careful or where I wanted to be and cut portions down even during the goodie time of year. Discipline.
If this seems daunting to you, start with one. I pray every day for God to give me the discipline to do what I need to do to stay healthy both in my body, mind, and spirit. Less TV, less social media, and more time doing what brings me joy. I would rather create something with that time. I am sitting in The Loft watching a very light snow coming down. That is a bummer for us right now because it can mean our window installations may be delayed, but I still love to watch it fall and give a time of silence to the surroundings. Enjoy your moments and don’t hurry through them.
There are a few things that I have on my list… 40 so far. Already a couple have come to fruition. So find one to concentrate on or to bring back into your life that you let go of, and go for it this year. I read where one friend was going to do more snail mail this year to put something in the hands of people she loved. That is a super idea and great way to reach out.
Here is my Gratitude Jar this year. The lace or edging is actually from my Grandmother. I remember her having it in the right top drawer of her sewing machine. When my mom gave me the sewing machine, all her items were in there, including that. I have left it in there and admired it many times. I decided I would “take the plunge” and cut a piece to use on my jar. The watch was one of my mom’s that can’t be repaired anymore and reminds me to “Cherish” my time and be mindful of how I use it. The chain you see hanging on it is from my mom’s heart necklace and was the original chain, which was a gift to my mom from my dad before they were married. She wore that necklace for her wedding and so did I. So I hung it there and it reminds me of my list. My mom was quite the list maker and organizer. The top of the jar is a glass top, so I cut out a card that came with some flowers from my youngest son and his fiancé and I put that into the bottom side of the lid. So all together, it is a great reminder of all things joyful and as I put in my hearts in the jar for all I am grateful for. It keeps my attitude in check in all areas of my life.
We hear so much about going big, thinking of ourselves and what we want, making a business successful so WE can feel successful, and the you can do it,. All the while, we strive for something more but feel less fulfilled. I am encouraging you to live each day and be present each day in the moment you are in. Notice the sky and clouds and colors and people. Be present for family and friends. That is more important than how much money we make, what jobs we hold, or how tied up we get in choices we have made only to leave the important people behind while we strive to create what WE think is successful. So I am adding things into my life this year that are more in line with my heart.
Today marks the beginning of one of the goals for this year and that is an exciting step. We are replacing all the windows that are metal in this house, and the work starts today! I am really excited about that. Press in to the what your heart desires, however, ask God if it is from him first. I have had some times I went ahead on my own, and I wouldn’t recommend it. Even though it was delayed, I prayed for peace and He gave it. He was able to come the next day and four windows were installed. I know resting in His plan is the best way. Tomorrow he will be here again for the next set!
So with the above in mind, I’m excited for you and for what this year holds… for all of us. It may be some of the same, but it could be a lot more if we make sure we are adding in the things we enjoy most, or maybe has got put on the back burner or lost altogether. I hope this post has encouraged you even if you aren’t the goals type, because just one change can change up life. Share with me your thoughts in the comments and let me know how I can pray for you this year. I wish for each and everyone of you to have a great start to 2023 in the months to come!
Let me leave you with this from a book I am reading to start my year:
🎚️”We consider that God has a purpose in our troubles. We know He’s cultivating character and motivating maturity. We ask for wisdom to see beneath the surface of the trials. We endure through the strength that comes from Him…we learn significant lessons we could never have learned any other way.” Chuck Swindoll from Clinging to Hope.
Until next time…
~JoAnn
As I am reading in a current study, I find myself in total agreement with the author who says we can get deafened to hearing from God because we have so 
many loud noises trying to get our attention. He also says that we become deaf to God speaking to us. He needs to be our loudest voice. I think so too. When I am living more like I shared above, I am more relaxed and just enjoy the moment for what it is. A mocha, a phone call from a friend, a prayer request that I immediately pray for, time with a child, listening to a great song, playing a tune I just made up, or spending time with hubby doing some of our favorite things. For example, I don’t just drink a mocha. I savor the warmth of the cup, the flavor of the drink, who I am with, where I am at….all those things. I’m thankful. Some do not have a warm drink, let alone a warm home. So I say thank you that I can enjoy this moment because He has been provided for that. When I sing and play, I am thankful for the gift of a singing voice and that I can even still sing; not like I used to, but at least I can still sing. I sing my thanks, I listen to the lyrics as I sing…it is all about taking the time to hear what song God even brings up in my spirit TO sing. That can be a message all by itself! That is listening! The new year for me brings up all the things that are right in my world, not all the things that are wrong. I look for good when I make my goals, and let God show me what He will willing to do with this year.
something I pass on, but it may be a treasure some day for someone else. There are mysteries in our lives, and I think we need to be more open to sharing them while we are here to share them. I encourage my boys to ask me what they want to know if I haven’t shared it with them already. So if you aren’t a journal type person, remember, it doesn’t have to be a page; it may only be a paragraph. It may even be a sentence or two. Great! Just put it down.
My new year’s wish for you is that you take this new year as an opportunity to mix things up a little bit. Do something new. Change what you don’t like and replace it with something you do! Become a an artist of your own life; a writer of your own story. There are times in my life where a certain situation comes up and I would love to see God change that, like… immediately. But of course, that is not the case. God has His own time frame, and His own reasoning for where I am and what I am doing. So instead of complaining about it, I’m learning to ask Him to help me understand it, AND the process. That way my focus is more on solution than complaint. You see, if we change how we look at things, we change everything about it. I can’t take a picture of a flower if I’m focused on the sky. I have to get down where the flowers grow, maybe even grovel on the ground a bit to get the best view. THEN… I can see the beauty that is there to see. It is all about our perspective.
take more time in an area, be better about putting God first in our day, simplify our life and schedule, eat healthier, exercise, or whatever He speaks to you about. Then ask Him to give you a word that will help you focus more towards making that a reality. It’s a great thing! I have reaped the benefits of doing this for the last 15 years at least. I usually make a visual of my word with scrabble letters and keep it on my desk.
Dreams DO come true!!! Today, I wanted share with the you the importance of not giving up on a dream. We all have them whether we verbalize them or not. For myself, I speak them out whenever possible, but I also write them down. I have a book that I keep with my current year’s goals and dreams tucked away in it. Do you know that I was told in my prayer time going into this year? I was told that we would have a great year. But, it would also be a year of change. A great year? What does that mean? What does it look like? I didn’t get specifics. I just had to trust what He said was true.
All while these challenges and changes were happening this year, I felt God telling us to be faithful. New things were coming, but we must be faithful with our current situation. So we have. We have managed to do some of the things we wanted and most of the things we felt God calling us to do. We have made decisions together and asked God to lead us in those decisions. It hasn’t been easy. In fact, it has been really hard at times. Timing…there is that THING that we have to keep turning over to God. I am getting better at that, but I haven’t arrived. I am so grateful God is patient about that. We keep moving forward. We prayed that we would be faithful to accept and live in God’s timing. When it didn’t happen, maybe we just had to accept it won’t happen. When we get to that point of turning it over, then it allows God to work.
that we in turn can bless others that He brings our way. Yes. I believe that everything I have or will have comes from the Lord. I believe that with my whole heart. So every time I get in my car, I thank Him for it. What a wonderful way to be reminded of what God can do. I kept believing no matter what the circumstances looked like. He completely provided for our present circumstances. Everything that we are doing in our home as well. But we are to do something with it…use it for His glory. All of it. We are willing to do that. We are extending our gratitude by tithing what He has given us. I believe He likes to see us turning our life over to Him…in everything. I want my home to feel welcoming and a safe haven. I believe that is what God wants for our home, but He wants that in our lives as well.
Journeys of My Heart 