The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 2,300 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 4 years to get that many views.
As 2012 comes to an end, and the New Year approaches, what are your desires? Do you have dreams, wishes, prayers, hopes, goals, or aspirations? As the New Year approaches, each of us can begin new. How would you like your New Year 2013 to begin?
Stated by Vic Johnson, a leading goal setting and motivation expert, “Most New Year’s Resolutions have gone by the wayside before January is over and most won’t even be remembered six months later. And the reason is pretty simple. Most are made in response to something negative; a habit or situation that the person wants to change or end. And therein lies the problem – it’s hard to develop momentum from a negative response. It is always easier to move toward something than away from something.”
Further stated, “…the best goal to set is one that calls for the individual to create a plan for their life based on a set of personal dreams. “Most people are in a free-fall through life, careening from one crisis to the next. If you were going to build a new house and you had this idea for a fabulous master bedroom suite, you wouldn’t rush out and start building the master bedroom. You’d have a complete plan before you started. When you approach resolutions and goals in the same manner, you end up with a much better chance of achieving success.” (http://www.mylifecoach.com/new_years_resolutions_and_goals.htm)
As 2013 approaches, instead of looking at the past year in reflection of the negative circumstances that you would like to see changed, what if we looked forward towards a positive dream that each of us desires to accomplish? What dreams has God placed into your heart that can bring life to this upcoming year as you move in that direction with God’s guidance? Even one step towards a dream given by God is movement towards purpose and fulfillment.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” (Psalm 37:4-6 NIV)
Wishing you and your family a Happy and Safe New Year 2013!
“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.” (Exodus 14:10 NIV)
What is your perspective? Where do you focus? Do you focus on your problems, frustrations, worries, and what is seen and known? Or, do you focus upon your great, powerful and almighty God knowing with all faith that you need not worry? Do you walk in faith?
“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14 NIV)
Some years are filled with many blessings. Other years are filled with many challenges. At the end of every year, I reflect.
What have I learned in this past year? What would I have done differently? What do I desire for my future? Who am I?
Have I become a better person? Have I overcome obstacles? Have relationships been strengthened? How is my relationship with Christ?
As I close out calendar year 2012, I am stuck in bewilderment as with many other years past. What do I write in my family newsletter? How do I document the year? Where is my focus?
2012 was a difficult year. Do I document the difficulty to only give glory to its presence, or do I ignore it as if living an unrealistic existence of which none could relate? There are many things I would choose to remain in 2012 to not enter 2013, but as life would have it I do not have a choice with what follows me into the upcoming year.
What will the new year bring? 2013 sounds as an odd year. My preference is for ‘even’ numbers seemingly as if the mere fact of an even number creates for a more positive grounding entering the year. Who likes an odd number anyway? Does anyone want to be the odd man out? Or, even worse, the lonesome traveler of ‘party of 1’, yes, ‘it’s just me’? These seem to not be enticing or even attractive to the ears as if to leave the mind asking, “Something is indeed wrong with this picture!!”
So, I sit with my computer screen before me this night with a rambling of thoughts of a writer left asking many questions and pondering deep thoughts. And, with that, the main question, “Do I share the ponderings of my heart in writing for all to read?”
For the last couple months, I’ve questioned if I could write for 365 days. I struggled with the thought to begin in November. Then, the thought shifted to December. And, now, the thought shifts to 2013…. 2013 an odd year to begin… a New Year to unfold…
365 days of writing…………… is it possible? and, what would be written? I suppose only time will tell……………..
Eternally Hopeful 