I like dreaming.
I prefer dreaming to reflecting probably
about 95% of the time. I really only prefer reflecting when it’s
masked with reminiscing about happy memories, and sentiments of ‘this should
happen again’, ‘I loved this’, or ‘wow, what a great time’.
This preference is both exhilarating and
debilitating, depending on the scenario I find myself in. Example; when
thinking of all the possibilities 2015 can hold, this dreamer preference is
pretty fantastic—There is no end to the things I can visualizing
myself accomplishing in the New Year. I can try absolutely anything, succeed, and find a sense of self in the variety of futures I can imagine and place
myself into… I’m basically living out everything on my Pinterest account.
While all this dreaming is simply marvellous, it is only when matched with reflecting on the year past I
am able to pin point what it is I should actually be doing; where I should be
focusing my time and energy, and creating a vision for what I want to see
happen in the new year. This reflection needs to take into consideration all
moments during the past year which were monumental to me; the good and the bad, every event that was life changing in some way.
These ‘life changing’ episodes are
different for everyone. They can be the moment you realized, despite your best
efforts, you still genuinely dislike olives, the times you realized your life
isn’t going to continued as planned, and even the times you felt lively crafting a handmade card or playing with your cat. All these little moments
give insight into what makes us feel alive, what fuels us and where our true
passions are—which is where we need to spend more time channelling our energy. Start
identifying them in your own life as I continue.
Now, yes, OK, playing with your cat is the
best thing in the world, but let’s look a little deeper into that. Why is it
fun? Is it because you weren’t doing anything all day? Is it because you were
having a bad day and that quality cuddle time with your furry friend made you
happy? Seek out the reasons behind the things you either enjoyed or disliked
and you’ll find where to establish the focus for the New Year.
In this hilarious (yet oh so true) cat situation, I enjoy fun times with my cat when I’ve been
really busy and need a bit of a break. What I learn from this is my life needs
to involve easy ways to take a few moments to recharge and re-energize after a
long, busy day. Keeping some easy and creative projects around, like say knitting that
winter scarf I’ve never started, leaves me an opportunity to knit a few rows
which will de-clutter my mind and leaves me feeling like I am accomplishing
something fun that I enjoy doing, but don’t always have time to do. Hanging
with my cat fits into this same category, as well as reading a book or magazine.
Take a look at the rest of life’s moments
that stand out as monumental from the past year and examine them for their
deeper meaning. Write them out and soon you’ll find yourself easy themes to help
navigate your goals for 2015.
When I look back at 2014 I realize I had a
year of ups and downs, challenges, overcoming those challenges and, overall,
making a lot of decisions that change the course of any plans that were once
had. A few themes that stand out for me are how I thrive when I get to be
creative, make beautiful things and capture their beauty the best I can, when I
get to spend meaningful time with those who hold value in my life (even if it’s
a short amount of time), intentionally growing my faith, and helping people in some
sort of way whether in the form of travelling over seas, or helping friends
with areas of need.
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| Follow me on Instagram: @LoveInspiresChange |
In shorter form, my themes for 2015 become:
- Creativity
- Relationships
- Faith
- Serving
- Health
A theme has more rooting to it. It creates
an expression of following passions and living out the deeper callings of your
life, embedded by God, to keep you moving in the direction to be His
light to the world in all you do. My chosen themes, while somewhat vague, give
me an amazing focal point for the New Year. Anything that doesn’t fit itself
easily into one of the above themes is not going to serve me well. It’s kind of
like creating a filter for yourself to live your best in 2015, which is pretty
amazing.
My 2014 goals were accomplished, and I’m
looking forward to growing on them and sifting all my dreams through the theme
filters I’ve created to create an amazing 2015. I can already tell
you a few of my goals:
- Blogging to take more of a lead role (which easily passes
through every filter!)
- Baking to continue to be a focus, including collaborating and sharing my creations via my blogging platform and customers
- Take at least one workout classes
(instead of just working out at home like I always do!)
- More dedicated Faith pursuits
(attend conferences, studies... you name it, I want in on it!)
So this year, as you dream, reflect, and visualize where you want to go in life, I challenge you to figure
out the themes of where you thrive, and pursue all your goals and dreams with your themes shining brightly, guiding every step.
Cheers to an absolutely amazing 2015!
*Interested in setting goals? Check out my post last year on Positive Goal Setting
