As we approach the end of the year, I'm taking a few moments to see where I was twelve months ago, and to compare where I am now. My three words for 2013 were RELEASE, ACCEPT, and ENGAGE. (Click the links to see the original posts.)
In a nutshell, those words meant releasing mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual baggage; accepting circumstances, people, and situations with peace and from a place of contentment; and engaging in life to the full, instead of withdrawing.
I thought I knew, or at least had a decent idea, what was going on when I "got" those words, but as it turns out, God was looking ahead and (surprise!) knew more than I did about what was coming.
Everything is appropriate in its own time. But though God has planted eternity in the hearts of men, even so, many cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11, The Living Bible)
I knew I needed to release old wounds and hurts. I didn't know part of that process would involve releasing my entire reproductive system to major surgery.
I knew I needed to accept things, instead of fighting and resisting and battling every circumstance and situation. I've got a LIST of things I had to accept with grace and peace this year, from my oldest son's decision to attend "freak show school" to my new "belly shelf" and a much-longer-than-anticipated healing process, to depending on others and not being able to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it.
I knew I needed to engage in new activities, but I couldn't have imagined the form that would take; from revived friendships and relationships, to a new interest in Reiki (more on that coming soon), to finding a new level of spiritual peace in, of all places, a Catholic Mass (more on that coming, too); to engaging with a group of like-minded writers after taking one small step of faith (OK, two steps... I made it to a conference AND spoke up and asked a question.). Much to my surprise, the word I was most fearful of at the beginning of last year turned out to be the word that had the greatest positive impact.
2013 has been a year of stretching... releasing, accepting, engaging... that's stretching, after all. Stretching is not comfortable. It's hard and painful, but it bears incredible, amazing fruit!
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Niki~ I found this inspiring. It is making me want to revisit my past year..reviving friendships and having an adventure will always be the best of my memories.. I feel whenever you get that " peace" is a good thing.. No matter "where it is" ... Keep moving and experiencing all that God wants you to do..You are wonderful, thank you for writing and expressing these innermost thoughts and feelings, you help more than yourself.. Blessings to you dear. Peace and Love )O(
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, to, my friend! You are part of the good that happened this year, you know! Here's to 2014 being a year of blessings for us both!
DeleteRelease, accept and engage are not easy! I applaud your efforts and I hope the fruit is sweet! I am happy that we reconnected this year!
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