Reflections

As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart. Proverbs 27:19

Whew! What a journey 2019 has been! Challenges, blessings, pain (literally), healing, bravery, forgiveness, presence, change, letting go and finding what I didn't know I needed...

I would like to end this part of my journey by reflecting on what I have learned from my little book-share project:

Be Brave:  You have to be brave if you are going to do what God has for you to do. I could have easily started reading books and putting a book review on Facebook or offering the books to friends and family when I was done. That would have been nice, but it would not have been following what God had planned for me to do.  I believe God wanted me to use my voice this year. He wanted me to speak up and share my journey to bless others. That would not have been possible without the Facebook Live posts.  Oh, how I cringed when I heard my own voice! But, you responded. You were so kind and you were interested in reading some of the books I chose.

Set Goals: If I read about the importance of setting goals once, I must have read it 4 or 5 times this year. We need to set goals. Short-term goals and long-term goals. Goals keep us from becoming complacent. Remember though, goals do not have expiration dates! Here are some of my goals from this year and where I am in meeting them:

1. Write a book (hasn't happened yet, but I am committed to blogging more in 2020 while I search for the right subject. 

2.  Practice yoga. I am doing it at least once a week at the gym and several times a week at home. I am yet to master crow pose, but I will get there!

3.  Paint - I have done it! I was able to finish four small Christmas themed paintings to hang in our home this season. I hope to paint something to hang in the living room this year.

4.  Be more present - I am still working on this one (why is it so hard?).  I leave the phone on a table when doing things with the family much more these days. I realize that not everything has to be captured by a photo. I take a mental picture instead. 

Actions Speak Louder Than Words: I love words. I love reading. I love writing. Words are powerful. What I have found in my studies this year is that the words written on each page are useless unless I put them into practice. Each book had a lesson for me and now, as we near 2020, I have a to continue the work God has started in me: I have to put them into practice:

Just Open The Door, by Jen Schmidt - Practice hospitality. It is more than just inviting people over. I love to bake, so I plan to share my creations with friends and neighbors. 

Girl, Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis - Set goals and go after them.  I can't just sit around waiting for things to go my way.

Love Does, by Bob Goff - How can you not want to jump into action after reading this book! Don't just tell people you love them, show them!

100 Days to Brave, by Annie F. Downs - Hands down, one of the best devotionals. Just showed me so many practical ways to be brave, follow God's purpose for my life and reach my goals.

The Road Back to You,  by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile - By understanding myself and others through the enneagram, I will be a better counselor, wife, mother and friend.

Unshakeable Hope, by Max Lucado - When tough times arise (because, they will) I can stand on one of the many promises of God to provide. 

The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg - I will continue to change the habits that no longer serve me or my purpose.

Fierce Integrity, by Maren Hasse - I will tell myself and others the truth so that I will have integrity in thought, word and action.

The Little Book of Hygge, by Meik Wiking - This one is the easiest. Continue to surround myself with the people and things that make me happy and share that feeling with others.

To Be CONTINUED...