Happy new year, everyone!
Isn’t it crazy how quickly 365 days flew by? I seriously feel like I just closed my eyes for a moment and time traveled to 2015.
Blink.
Just like that.
I think the older we get, the faster time passes. Don’t you agree? And the faster that time passes, the more I wonder what I did with it. With the hours I was given last year. The minutes I spent last month. And the seconds I used up last week.
All this wondering led up to the question I asked hubby yesterday, “Is the whole point of life for us to grow up?”
He turned to me from the driver’s seat with a smile/smirk of amusement and replied, “I thought we were done with these questions.”
Ah, but that was before the new year began and before I pondered about what it was that I did with my life in 2014.
Hubby tells me that he usually sees an increase in the number of people working out at the gym during the first 2-3 months of the year. I can imagine these are people who started their new year with 2 “R” words – and they are definitely not rest and relaxation. I’m talking about regret and resolution. Regret over the things they didn’t do or wish they had done before and the resolution to do those things now.
I used to make new year’s resolutions … until I realized I was setting myself up to fail. Life is a continuous journey, not one that can be rebooted year after year with new plans and goals. Sometimes goals can be obtained within a set period of time, but more often than not, our plans get sidelined by bumps and cracks in the road. There’s only so much we can plan for and control; the rest of the time is spent learning to get up and try again.
Which is why I had that mid-life/existential crisis question on my mind as I started the new year.
As I look back on the last year, I am extremely thankful for all the moments God gave me. 2014 was an adventurous year for me and the family. We went through yet another one of hubby’s job changes (he loves change!) and a career shift for me as I added “author” and “small business owner” to my SAHM title. These changes were not without their trying moments however. There were plenty of times when I wanted to quit and throw in the towel/manuscript. There are still many moments when I stare at the 25 boxes of Moodkins (24.5 of which are still full) sitting in our living room and wonder if I’ll ever see the fireplace again in my lifetime. Though I am grateful for these opportunities that God brought me last year, I admit I am a bit tired and bruised from the potholes I fell into and had to get out of in the process.
But all that falling and getting up has given me the answer to my (somewhat rhetorical) question, “Is the whole point of life for us to grow up?”
Yes. Totally, painfully, yes.
My heart knew this to me true when I witnessed our son perform for almost an hour in the choir for his school’s Christmas musical. Not only did he sing, he did every single head tilt, hand motion and foot shuffle. And with a beaming smile, too. Hubby and I looked at each other with saucer-like eyes and whispered, “Who is this kid?!” It was nothing short of a miracle because only three years ago, this was the same kid who sat with his back turned towards the audience during his entire 45 minute preschool graduation. It took a lot of time, support and more time, but E is now confident and comfortable enough to perform in front of hundreds of people. He even told me afterward that he had fun. Yes, I think I just saw a pig fly by my window!
Image courtesy of Victor Habbick/freedigitalphotos.net
And my heart knows that God loves us too much to let us stay where we are at. That although life could be a lot easier and more simple if we didn’t have obstacles to overcome, we would have less faith and character. And definitely, fewer victories to celebrate.
So, I’m starting 2015 with perhaps the one resolution that I can keep. Despite the many times I’m sure I’ll struggle with it this year, I know that if I keep getting up when I fall down, I’ll reach the end of this year with no regrets.
What’s the resolution? To keep growing up.
Take a listen to Brian McKnight’s feel-good, inspirational song, “Win”. It’s a good song to listen to for all of you with new year’s resolutions. 😉
What are your new year’s resolutions?