Happy 2012 everyone!! As you can see, I had a very blessed New Years Eve. It's tradition that my husband and his college roommates (and now their wives as well) all get together to celebrate the new year. We're scattered all over the country, but once a year we still manage to make the trek to see each other. It's a real blessing to be with good friends again. And this year, we just happened to meet up at gorgeous South Beach in Miami. After two non-stop years of night-wakings, diaper-changes, and whining toddlers, it was so incredible to have a little r & r.
While I was away, I did a lot of thinking, too. I decided I need to add one more goal for the year.
#11: Learn to like myself just the way God made me. The Lord has a purpose for me. He knows what He wants me to accomplish with my life, and He has made me perfect for fulfilling that purpose. When I find myself disastisfied with myself, it's usually because I'm trying to fulfill a purpose that is not my own. No, I'm not gorgeous and fashionable - but I'm not meant to be a supermodel. Sure, I'm struggling with sales in my etsy shop, but I shouldn't be envious of the women I know who are great successes. Perhaps their shops are what the Lord has in store for them now. He wants me to be focusing my efforts on other things (though I'm not giving up the store, it's just a hobby). I'm not "cool" or funny. But my friends seem to like shy and nerdy. I'm not Supermom. But she doesn't really exist.
All I need to do is let go of what I think I'm not and begin to embrace what I'm made for. I have a nice, soft lap for snuggling with and reading to my kids. We have a warm home that our kids aren't afraid to explore and learn in. I genuinely care about nearly everyone I meet, even if they don't all want to be my friend. I'm a decent cook, get the bills paid on time, can make my husband laugh. I want my kids to be happy and to learn responsibility - though I'm still working on the execution of this one.
Goals 1-10 lay out a plan to change a few things that I think will make me better at fulfilling my purpose. Goal 11 is my permission to let go of everything else. All the emotional 'stuff' that weighs me down. God loves me just the way I am, and that's what really matters. Now it's my turn to learn to do the same :)
How did your New Years Eve go? What are some of your goals for 2012? I'd love to hear what you're all up to!
While I was away, I did a lot of thinking, too. I decided I need to add one more goal for the year.
#11: Learn to like myself just the way God made me. The Lord has a purpose for me. He knows what He wants me to accomplish with my life, and He has made me perfect for fulfilling that purpose. When I find myself disastisfied with myself, it's usually because I'm trying to fulfill a purpose that is not my own. No, I'm not gorgeous and fashionable - but I'm not meant to be a supermodel. Sure, I'm struggling with sales in my etsy shop, but I shouldn't be envious of the women I know who are great successes. Perhaps their shops are what the Lord has in store for them now. He wants me to be focusing my efforts on other things (though I'm not giving up the store, it's just a hobby). I'm not "cool" or funny. But my friends seem to like shy and nerdy. I'm not Supermom. But she doesn't really exist.
All I need to do is let go of what I think I'm not and begin to embrace what I'm made for. I have a nice, soft lap for snuggling with and reading to my kids. We have a warm home that our kids aren't afraid to explore and learn in. I genuinely care about nearly everyone I meet, even if they don't all want to be my friend. I'm a decent cook, get the bills paid on time, can make my husband laugh. I want my kids to be happy and to learn responsibility - though I'm still working on the execution of this one.
Goals 1-10 lay out a plan to change a few things that I think will make me better at fulfilling my purpose. Goal 11 is my permission to let go of everything else. All the emotional 'stuff' that weighs me down. God loves me just the way I am, and that's what really matters. Now it's my turn to learn to do the same :)
How did your New Years Eve go? What are some of your goals for 2012? I'd love to hear what you're all up to!
