Recently, in taking a personality test, I was not shocked to
read that my type is one that is defined as responding well to routine, being precise
and organized, and being resistant to change. I laughed out loud when I read
that, as 2018 is a year that’s been filled with nothing BUT changes, and
oftentimes I’ve felt that stability will forever elude my grasp. However, in
the fires of change, I feel that God has been forging a new strength and wisdom
with which to better respond to all life brings in the future. As I take some time to reflect on 2018, I marvel at the grace He's shown me and the hope He has reignited through the fires of change and life lessons.
Here are nine things that 2018 has taught me:
1.
To lean on others. I can’t do it all myself, and
neither can you. The pride of refusing others’ help could have kept me from
some of the greatest joys and blessings this year. So, THANK YOU to all who
have helped in some way this year—emotionally, financially, and otherwise; you
know who you are!
2.
It’s just as expensive to live in California in
2018 as it was in 2017. In fact, it’s more expensive….
3.
How to better adjust to change. I moved 3 times
to 4 different places: house -> RV in the side yard -> RV in the RV Park
-> condo in Truckee. Did I mention this all happened in the span of 2 and a
half months while I was starting a new job? In these 3 living spaces, I’ve had
a grand total of 12 different roommates, including my kitty cat, Princess Tate.
Meow!
4.
Someday I want to be able to afford flights that
don’t require me to leave my house at 4:30am and don’t involve time-consuming layovers.
Case in point: I took 17 flights to 6
different destinations in 2018 (only one away from 18 flights in ’18! Maybe I’ll
make 19 in ’19….?). I have a feeling that day is far in my future, and right now
I feel incredibly lucky to even be able to afford to travel so much.
5.
How to be wiser in my approach to relationships.
I learned not to invest in people who can’t be bothered to invest in me. It may
seem harsh, but trust me, the heartache is NOT worth it. Instead, I am trying
to develop a healthy balance of being open and loving to others while still
protecting my heart.
6.
Forgiveness is a really long, painful process.
Jesus tells us in the Bible multiple times that we ought to forgive one
another, just as He forgave us and gave His life for us. Easier said than done.
It requires daily surrender, thoughtful and directed prayer and compassion
towards the people who have hurt us, and honest, open communication with others.
I’m so grateful for the ways that Christ is helping me forgive those who have
hurt me, and is helping heal relationships that were fractured.
7.
How to face my fears. I really did NOT want to
go back to teaching; it was through God’s intervention that I was brought back
to this profession, albeit, kicking and screaming. He has shown me that His strength
and grace is enough, no matter how many difficulties I face.
8.
How to choose joy and happiness in the midst of
trying circumstances. There’s always something good happening, and especially
towards the end of 2018, I started training my brain to find those things by
keeping a gratitude journal that I add onto at the end of each day. As Bing
Crosby sings in his famous song, Blessings,
“If you’re worried, and you can’t sleep, just count your blessings instead of
sheep, and you’ll fall asleep, counting your blessings!” I can attest to this
from personal experience: it is the best way to fall asleep!
9.
How to take care of myself so that I can serve
and love others more fully. For me, I’ve learned that means NEVER SKIPPING my
morning coffee! Seriously, it may be close to $1,000 a year spent on coffee,
but ask anyone who’s lived with me this past year: I’m pretty sure it’s well
worth it!
All joking aside, I hope everyone who’s reading this takes
the time today, tomorrow, or whenever they can to reflect on this past year and
the lessons it’s brought. One of the best quotes I read recently came from a
favorite author and poet of mine, Morgan Harper Nichols:
“If anyone truly wants to know how
you’re doing and what you have been up to, talk to them about how you’ve grown
in joy. Talk to them about how this year taught you how to be stronger than you
ever thought you would be. Tell them the story about how through all the
mountains and valleys of this year, you found endless, boundless grace.
Nobody has it all figured out yet.
Nobody knows exactly what’s next. But we all have this present moment to live
and also to reflect on how far we have come.”
So take a moment to reflect, then go out and live life and
relish in the present moments. Because, as she says, nobody DOES exactly know
what’s next.
