2013 was an incredible year of growth and learning for our family. Our house started taking shape as our home. Our boys became more than brothers; they became friends. Nate and I have begun to understand and appreciate the deeply abiding nature of marriage.
I pick a single scripture to guide every year. A theme that I come back to and pray for when I'm feeling off course. 2013 was Galatians 5:22-23, a message of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I strived for all of those things. I found deeper meanings in love. I experienced joy and peace and a renewed sense of faith. Through all of these things, I'm excited to see grace taking shape in our home. It's a strange sort of grace for our new family, akin to a baby buck taking its first steps. It looks new and determined as it propels forward. It feels natural and strong and just a little bit cautious.
This year is Proverbs 4:25-26. “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.”
Focus. Consideration. Thoughtfulness. These are the things I want for us this year. I've already started with the delicate act of delegation. Last year I brought on an assistant to help me achieve balance. She started handling the details that were getting lost in the shuffle. I experimented with contributors here on the site and I enjoyed their voices. I like the perspective that comes with letting go of control once in awhile. I like that it offers me time to focus and think about the general pathways for my family and our business. I want more of that. I'll be tying together the lessons of last year with my mission for this year, focusing on moving forward strategically. Making decisions mindfully.
What are you hoping for this year?
Beautifully written, Chelsea! I’m hoping for balance this year, more time to spend watching sunsets and having real conversations. I’m also going to consciously practice kindness. Sometimes I blurt things out without thinking and then regret it later, so I’m going to think about kindness before speaking.