I'm Learning

I was blessed to turn another year older last week. It was not a milestone year or anything but it still left me thinking about what it is I have learned this last year. I'll try and share a few things I know I have learned but I also have a strong suspicion that in later years I'll realize even more of what I learned this last year.

1) I've realized most everyone has their own story of tough times. While we are all unique and we all have our own problems, having challenges is nothing unique. My pastor always talks about people who say if you heard my story you'd give me a pass on applying this or that principle, but that is not the way it works. It has been a surprise to realize that all these people I see who seems to have it all together have had to battle something big like no money in the bank, or no clue what to do with their life, or dealt with disease, etc. I think we need to realize our stories and how they effect the framework from which we look out, but on the other hand I don't think we can allow our stories to rule our present or our future.

2) I've learned a lot about stewardship as it relates to our time, talents, treasures, and relationships. Stewardship goes to the core of what we believe and whether we live in a way that is consistent with what we believe.

3) I set some short-term goals and have had fun going for them. One of my assignments at work towards the end of 2005 was to come up with some 3 and 6 month goals. It challenged me to consider what it is I wanted to intentionally get done and pushed me to pick up some things I was passionate about. I have gotten involved in Juice Plus as a result and I love it, and I have registered to take my first seminary class and am excited about that. Long - term goals are great, but I think they overwhelmed me. and needed to be broken down into more manageable and achievable short-term goals.

4) I've learned more than anyone else wants to know about health and nutrition. It is definitely a journey and I know that I still have much to learn. I am 10 times better off than I was two years ago, but on the other hand I hope to be living a much healthier life five years from now. I think food and nutrition can have an incredibly preventitive role in our lives.

5) My favorite verses for this past year?
"Let us hold fast to the hope we profess for He who has promised is faithful."
Hebrews 10:23

What I hope to learn next year?

1) How to have it all, or if that is not possible how to best balance those things that are most important to me.

2) To get better at listening more and talking less, and asking better questions of people.