This year has finished up well. I really do feel that way. Although I have not accomplished everything that I set out to accomplish, I have done some great things; and I have grown a lot.
The thing about life is that you are either progressing or falling behind. There really is no such thing as staying put in life. Nothing in nature stands still; there’s always growth or decay. With the world in constant motion, you have to at least be moving forward a little bit to even feel like you are standing still.
For me, I have a lot places in which I am trying to progress. It takes a lot of focus and energy, and sometimes I get tired and discouraged; that’s when I start to fall behind. When things don’t go the way I want them to, or at the speed I want them too, it is physically, mentally, and emotionally tiring.
When I get overwhelmed, I feel like walking away from everything that I have put so much energy into, seemingly without gain. That’s what my pastor calls “burning the field”. It’s a pretty apt analogy, I think.
It means to completely abandon that which you have labored so hard to bring forth a harvest without even bothering to look for anything worthwhile that you have grown. I know from experience that every situation has some value even if it is to be an example of what not to do; in short, learning from your mistakes.
Often, it seems, even to me, that I may be trying to do too much. Working two jobs, growing a garden every year, keeping after the farm work, and trying to be a good wife, mom, and responsible animal owner, it always feels like I am falling short, somewhere.
My goal for doing all these things is to be ready for retirement. I am working to pay off debt, and to build a garage. We want to grow our own organic produce, and maybe some animals, too.
We have been working on developing a routine that makes gardening as easy as possible. Last year we put in an irrigation system on our fruit trees. The year before, we added garden boxes to minimize tilling and weed pulling. There is an electric fence that goes around the garden to keep the dogs out, and motion sensor water squirters to deter the cats.
All this hard work has produced some nice fruits and vegetables. We have had our challenges with the weather and bugs, but we have always been rewarded with something tasty.
The same is true for the other areas of my life that I am working so hard. Little by little, step by step, things are coming to fruition. It is the same with my clients. Setbacks are only temporary if we make them that way.
One of the big things that I learned this year is that I need to be even better organized. I have found the advice of the experts to be true (imagine that). We all have a pace that is comfortable, but to go to the next level, you have to push past that comfort level. Eventually, it will be comfortable there, too.
So, looking into next year, I have decided that 2017 will be what I make it to be. It has the potential to be incredibly productive, otherwise things will just stay at this mediocre place. I already know that I will have to step up my game, get organized, and look more at what’s ahead. Planning is my friend.
Well now, that sounds obvious, doesn’t it? The key to success is to be committed to the outcome. I’m not getting any younger, so unless I want life to pass me by, I will have to get creative about being productive.
I look forward to trying some new things next year. My motto will be, “Work smarter, not harder”. Next year is the year that will really start to bring results from all the hard work. I think this will be true for everyone. I think 2017 will be whatever you make it to be.
Let’s encourage each other, and empower ourselves to strive for the life that we want to have. It won’t be an easy road or a perfect journey, but it holds much reward if we are willing to take the bad with the good.
Start each day with gratitude, and look for an opportunity to perform a random act of kindness. These two simple things create so much positive energy that they will displace any negative energy that is holding you back and dragging you down.
Cheers! Here’s to an amazing new year!
Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
