1. What did you accomplish in 2015?
2. What lesson have you learned in 2015?
And I'd like to add:
3. What are your goals for 2016?
I would love to hear your responses!
I've gratefully accomplished a lot this year from having our daughter, to moving cross country to re-entering the career field. The things I've learned are about to put me on my soap box and I'm about to say things I would have never said just a few years ago...
First, I learned to not let fear hold you back.
Second, I learned that you can't wait for the world to give you what you want, you have to go and get it.
Moving to Texas and re-entering my career were (and still are) both scary things. I honestly don't know if I could have done it had we not made a crazy move to the Dominican republic a few years back. After doing that, I feel like I can do anything in terms of moving. We wanted to live somewhere warm and re-establish our lives somewhere after leaving the country and returning again. So we chose Texas for the weather and housing costs. However we did not have a job willing to re-locate us. My husband still doesn't have a job here (although he is working remotely from Minneapolis for now). If that ends before he finds something new, we will be taking a pay cut to live off my salary alone. We also own a home in Minnesota. We JUST had a new baby! So many reasons to not move!
But we went anyway. I re-entered the career field after being a stay at home mom (which I loved) so we'd at least have a salary. We packed up our stuff, ordered a moving truck, took our two kids and our dog and drove down the country. My point and my soap box is if you want a change in your life, go and get it! What's holding you back? You have a good job where you are? You don't want a pay cut? You own a home? You have kids? We had all that too...but you can do whatever you want! Years ago, we got married, bought a home, had a baby and thought we'd live that nice settled down American dream. But that all changed for us and we wouldn't have it any other way. We have grown so much through our moving even though it hasn't been all adventurous and fun. It has been stressful, scary, emotional and even a financial headache. Somehow things have still worked out. It's still important to be responsible and live within your means but ask yourselves how would your decisions change if you removed fear from the equation? One of our biggest excuses to not get what we want is fear. At least that has been a huge excuse in my life and I know I'm not the only one. So again, what I've learned, is you can't wait for the world to give you what you want or for the world to come to you (like a promotion or a job willing to re-locate you for example). Sometimes you just have to go and get it! Make a way and ditch the fear. I guess that's my pep talk for your next big life change...or even a small life-change.
So what are my goals for 2016? I found this cute little sign to put over my pass through window separating the kitchen and dining room. And it sums up perfectly what I want to do in 2016.
Love More.
I hope this can start at home especially with my husband. He needs to know I appreciate him. By doing that, our kids will see the love we have for each other and in turn they will see how much we, as a couple, love them. I want to love my Savior and my Father in Heaven more. I want to show them by reading my scriptures more and serving others more. I want to love people that have hurt me by forgiving and taking less offense. I want to love my family back home and extended family more by making an extra call or sending a hand written note. I firmly believe if I love more, I will be happier and less stressed. Clearly this is a life long goal but at least I can focus and reflect on it for the new year. Goals that are measurable seem easier to attain for me. I don't have a plan on how I'm going to measure this one yet but seeing the sign every time I walk in my home is going to be my motivation so I can't forget.
So humor me and take a moment to ponder your year and answer the questions above.
Happy New Year 2016 Friends and Family!
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