Celebrate the Possibilities.
The possibilities that lie in wait each new year are almost endless. Carol shares her thoughts about reflecting and planning ahead.
The Cycle of Possibilities of Each Year
The puzzle of life contains the cycles of each year. Sometimes the pieces need a bit a rearranging to see where they fit in the overall picture of life for you at this moment in time and going forward throughout the year.
At the end of each year, I like to take some time to reflect on what has transpired during the course of the last twelve months. I look at the memory-making moments, the challenges accepted, and the goals I accomplished. The reflections include the detours of life, the projects not yet completed, and also lessons learned in the process. After revisiting the past, I can move on to looking forward, into what I hope might happen, what things I need to work on, and realistic goals to set as I greet a brand-new calendar year.
Possibilities
If I could paint a picture of the possibilities in the year ahead, it would need to contain representations of words and stories, family and friends, workshops and memory-making moments. The swirl of colours needs to show excitement and celebrations and would need to share space with quiet reflective moments to process learning, faith, and refocusing of energy. But since I am not an artist, I must paint all this with words and stories while finding time to quietly reflect and learn.
In looking forward, I make a to-do list which includes a continuation of projects waiting to be completed and stories yet to be shared. The ideas marching around my mind beg to be released into written form. Stories and lessons learned through life experiences need to be shared, some with family and friends while others need to go out into the world. A friend begged for the ending to a story I let her read the beginning of and yet I have made her wait for over a year. Then another year passed before I dared to dig it out and revisit it. Last year, I finally had it revised, edited, and published. I even revisited the sequel to it and sent it off to an editor. She has waited years for that one as well.
A Story That Wanted Telling
Why did I procrastinate when the story fascinates me? Maybe, because birthing a piece outside my comfort zone also frightens me. I think of the journal cover my daughter designed for me which says, “She knew a story that wanted telling.” I know it is time to place fear where it belongs – in the past and move forward with confidence or at least a semblance of it. This past year showed me I can do just that.
My files have so many short stories and meditation style pieces sit in various stages of edits, waiting to be finished and released so others can enjoy, be encouraged and maybe even have a chuckle or two from some of them. My goal for this upcoming year is to quit procrastinating, quit hiding in fear of finishing the started pieces, and allow them to be completed. Where they will be available is still a work in progress and will be different with each piece I complete. But this year I need to create, to complete and to capture more ideas on to paper, then take the next step and share them with others.
Reason to Celebrate
It appears that as I complete a project, I have reason to celebrate. Yet more rest on the to-do list, waiting to be completed in their turns. More ideas flit about my mind and end up scratched into a notebook, waiting to be developed beyond an idea. This coming year holds many pieces of puzzle labeled- to be completed and to be worked on.
Plans can change due to circumstances beyond our control. This means reworking our goals. No matter what circumstances happen during this coming year, I wish to take time to make more memories with my loved ones. Louisa May Alcott said, “Preserve your memories keep them well, what you forget you can never retell.” This resonates with me, not just to remind me to take that time to make the memories, whether little things or larger events, but to enjoy them and then capture them in photos and stories to help me remember them when memory dims with the passing of time. They will inspire stories to tell or write and remind me of the importance of special people in my life.
Big Goals to Achieve
I see the tall orders I am giving myself, big goals to achieve, wonderful dreams, and exciting possibilities all rolled into one as I look ahead to a new year unfolding. My greatest desire is to look back next December and know that I have seized the memory making moments, used the gifts and abilities I have to enrich the lives of others and have shared stories and workshops that encouraged others and helped them reach their fullest potential even as I am reaching for mine.
What about you? Do you have lofty goals or a small to-do list? Do you have plans to make memories despite restrictions or hide away and hope for the best? Whatever the puzzle pieces of your life look like at this moment, take a few moments to reflect on the past year – the good things, the struggles, and the wish it would have happened moments too. Then see what you can celebrate as you begin a new year with new possibilities. Write down some plans, goals, and wishes so you can look back in twelve months and see what is marked as done and ready to celebrate. May your new year be one of exciting possibilities, either great or small.
Do you have a goal for New Year? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life or visit Carol’s website carolscorner.ca
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope.
She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
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