If I had to pick a word to describe 2014, it would be “surprise.” At the end of January I found out I was pregnant with baby #2. A total surprise. Yes, we wanted another child. But hadn’t planned for it to be so soon. Or to be living in this small townhouse. Or to have two kids under the age of two. Or… well, it just wasn’t as we planned.
Except when I look back at how everything played out… the timing was perfect. [Proof that God’s plan is so much better than my own plan.] I dealt with horrendous morning sickness before Colin was entirely mobile & I was able to spend quite a bit of time on the couch. Their spacing, although not what I intended, has been perfect for our family. When Jillian came along, Colin was 22 months old and too young to truly understand what happened. Yes, there were tough times [tantrums like whoa], but I can look back now and see that if things had happened on the timing we ‘planned’ it probably would have been more difficult. What an amazing surprise. And a tremendous blessing. I ended 2014 with a very full heart.
I took my sweet time making goals for 2015. [obviously… seeing as this post is being written on January 21st and not January 1st]. After I collected my thoughts using this exercise, I wanted to sit a little while with everything. And crazy enough, I ended up throwing those goals out the window. The past year was so much about me, me, me as I dealt with pregnancy and a newborn. I want to change that for 2015. I have only one goal this year- inspired by this quote.
“How do you say ‘thank you’ for sunshine or health… for clear days or gentle rains… for happiness, joy, or love? You say it by sharing what you have. You say it by making the world a better place in which to live.” – Thomas D. Willhite
I have so much to say ‘thank you’ for in my life. This year it’s time to say ‘thank you’ by sharing what I have.
a year of giving
Myself, my family or my business will be doing one random act of kindness per week this year. I have a couple weeks under my belt now and I LOVE THIS GOAL. I’m not going to blog about the random acts, but will share a weekly photo on Instagram. I was tempted to keep this project entirely under wraps for fear it would look like bragging, but sharing your goals publicly leads to greater success. I’m also sharing in hopes to inspire someone. In hopes that giving will be contagious [like this string of 73 cars paying it forward at starbucks!] But most importantly, I’m sharing because I have a few acts planned that require your involvement. So, if you feel inclined, please follow along and/or join in on the giving (#yearofgiving)!
