I feel like I am already starting 2016 a little behind. The New Year
snuck up on me before I even had a chance to catch my breath from
Christmas. I just got the last of the
Christmas décor’ put away in the attic this week.
I haven’t planned
my schedule ahead. I haven’t really set
any goals. I’m pretty much just trying
to stay afloat. I’ve coasted into the
New Year on fumes, running on empty. Sad
but true.
I’ve had a
lingering cold that won’t seem to let go of me for some reason. My energy has been low which has stolen my
passion to be productive. It’s been
very frustrating to say the least.
Colds are a
common occurrence for most people during the winter months, but for me it can
be very crippling. When you have an
autoimmune disease even the most harmless of colds can drag on forever draining
your energy and weakening your already compromised immune system even more.
I have goals and
plans and high aspirations for the New Year, I just haven’t had the chance to
really mull over them. I generally try
to assimilate them in some fashion on paper (to motivate myself to dream big
and aim to be more this year with God’s help), but this year is different.
A few years back
I heard of people choosing a simple word to focus on for the year. This word seemingly helped them to better keep their attention on their overall
goal. Some have chosen words like… “rest”,
“accountability”, “discipline”, “faith”, and the like.
The last couple
years I have chosen “a” word as well and it really helped me to focus on where
I wanted to be. This year I have chosen
two words.
-FORWARD PROGRESS-
This is important
to me because this past year I have felt like I have taken one step forward and
two steps back all year long as a result of my health. It has been very frustrating. God has placed some big dreams on my heart
that I have been chipping away at for years and it’s time for them to finally
be completed.
“Forward
Progress” to me means to keep moving forward toward where God wants me to be
even if it is one step at a time. If I
could shout out loud daily to motivate myself (and not feel weird about it) I
would probably say…”Just DO Something!”
Start by… writing
one paragraph in the book you are trying to finish. Send one note of encouragement
to that person God put on your heart.
Have one family night a month. Set up one meeting to mentor
that young lady. Make one sit
down meal this week. Schedule one
date night with your husband this month.
Write one blog post for now. Read one chapter in that book
you want to finish. “Just DO Something!”
If I could add
verses to my words for the year, I think this would be it. I love how the Message version says it…
“I’m not saying that I
have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching
out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me
wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my
eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and
running, and I’m not turning back.”
Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG)
I am determined
to keep moving FORWARD this year even if it is by taking “baby steps”. FORWARD PROGRESS is my goal.
Take a moment and
think… What is the “something” that you need to be doing this year? What is holding you back friend? Please take this as my personal invitation to
join me on this journey of moving forward. I dare you to step out and “Just DO
Something” and let God do the rest! Are
you ready to make 2016 amazing? Let’s do
this!
Living to leave a
legacy,
Julie
