Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Wrapping up 2014

2014 has been a year of firsts for me.  The two biggest, I became an Assistant Principal and I surfed for the first time.  The questions are, What have I learned from it?  How has it impacted my life and has it brought me closer to my goals?

What did I learn?  I learned it takes courage to take the first step.  Whether it was walking into a new position at school or going into the surf, I was fearful at times.  Trying something new and only having knowledge without experience in doing it can be overwhelming.  However, I have had some great mentors.  Mentors that can help me see things that I never payed attention to before.  I find myself looking at moments in time differently.  Now, when I walk on the beach I am watching the waves.  I'm learning how to read them.  I now know what a "dumpy" wave is :) and how they are not so good to surf on.  I am learning to read how a school moves forward and paying attention to things I had not seen before.  I am thankful for my mentors both at school and at the beach for being patient and helping me see where to put my attention to get better.

How has it impacted my life?  It has made me want to tackle new adventures.  This year has been a reminder that I need to run full speed into my adventures.  It's funny how with some adventures I am ready to go full speed and others not so much.  This fact has made me look at the reasons why I fear some things and not others.  I am determined to face my fears and conquer them.  It is extremely exhilarating to push my fears aside and jump.  I love this feeling but have to make myself run towards the cliff screaming "Geronimo".

Has it brought me closer to my goals?  I am moving in the right direction.  January of 2014 I started praying for a few things...

    1.  Awaken the dreams within me.
    2.  Put me in the right place at the right time and help me see to take the opportunity.
    3.  Help me put on my waders.
    4.  Help me sow peace, hope, encouragement, and love.

I have seen my dreams and imagination greatly increase to the point I now wade through them and try to figure out what to do with them all.  I have added some to my One Day List and others I laugh at and figure it was something I ate.  (But you never know... the dreams we laugh at might be the best dreams.)

I prayed to be at the right place at the right time and things fell into place.  I have been in the right place at the right time and met new people.  I have no doubt I am where I should be for this time of my life.  It helps during the hard times to know I am in this place for a reason.  "For such a time as this."

I asked for help to put on my waders.  This goes back to a story from the book The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson.  A group of farmers were in desperate need of rain for their crops.  They decided to meet and pray for rain.  One of the farmers came dressed in his waders because he had enough faith it would be raining so hard on his way home that he would need them.  And yes, it rained.  I want that kind of faith and boldness to take the chance to look foolish.

I want to sow peace, hope, encouragement, and love.  I like to see the good in people.  I like to see their potential.  I know it is hard for some people to understand and have been told that people will always let you down.  I get that.  However, if I allow others to not be perfect there is something liberating in that act.  I know I am not perfect and have and will let people down.  I will try to do my best but I know there will be times I come up short.  Therefore, I choose to look at the person we strive to be.  We can have hope that one day we will reach our personal goals.  Sometimes we have to encourage others to believe in themselves and help them love themselves so they can love others.

My life is far from perfect, but I am moving beyond myself on this journey.

2014 was a crazy wild ride.  I can't wait to see the adventure of 2015!

My Today,
Christy








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