In 2 days, we will begin a new year. So, tonight, I reflect on 2016. I must warn you though, I have not felt good all day, so this may get sappy and /or reflect that.
2016 marked the end of my college career. I ended it with a Master’s degree. Thats crazy. I began a gnarly healing journey in 2011 when I started my undergrad degree at LCU. The journey before then, to get on track to become a counselor was filled with lots of chaotic, insecure, what the crap is going on.. kind of learning experiences. But 2011. This began a season that I just finished wrapping up. I made a conscious decision and set a goal. I took steps to complete that and reach that goal, and here I find myself. The effort I put in has now gained a reward that I feel honored and blessed to have. Thats not to say that I still don’t have what feels like a billion more hoops to jump through. But right now. I am reflecting on the hard work I already put in. SO don’t rain on my post right now .
I live life from the belief that you can learn from anyone and if I have learned and grown within a year, then my time has been beneficial and valuable. SO here are some things I have learned.
- I have mentioned this before, but I think it is one of the biggest lessons I learned. Just because something is okay with someone else, does not mean it is or has to be okay with you. And I am the only person who knows what i am okay and not okay with.
- I am not responsible for picking up other people’s slack.
- Relationships scare the tar out of me.
- I cannot mind read, or tell what others believe or think about me, nor am I suppose to .
So what does 2017 hold?
I went to breakfast last night with a sweet friend ( breakfast is good all the time, we do what we want.) anyways..sorry.. She asked me if I had a word, or goal for the new year. I told her my word would be openness. Openness to people, honesty with people, and just being able to better meet each experience objectivey. See- I have a tendency to judge people and situations before they happen. I make up your mind before I even hear what you think. I want to work on this, and have been working on this. But I want to be better at meeting people and situations with an open mind and with no expectations or preconceived notions. Also, I want to be better at being spontaneous instead of sitting at home or not doing things when someone asks me to go spend time with them.
But these are my goals. I will strive daily to change my faulty ways of thinking but I will love people in the process.
What are your goals for this new year?
What have you learned?
How have you grown?
Be encouraged
Rachael
