I was going through my posts last night as I was doing some cleanup and organizing on Kid Stuph. It was good for a number of reasons. First, it gave me the opportunity to see where I have been, what my mental and emotional state was like, and how my blogging has (ahem) improved. More than that though, it gave me opportunity to look at what I set out to do a year ago, and not lament the fact that I haven’t achieved all of my goals (trust me, that is a vast improvement).
See, as I was going through the posts, I came across my birthday post from last year. In it, I was pretty optimistic that the coming year would be great for me. I “had a feeling”, and it was a good one. Looking back over the past year, I probably should have taken that post and glued it to my eyelids, as there were parts of the year that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Then again, looking at it in retrospect, I can’t say that I would be where I am now if I hadn’t gone through some of those difficult times. Do I welcome the hard times? Heck no, but I can appreciate, with Joseph, how God can turn even the worst situations into something beneficial.
So, another year has passed, and I will be adding another number to my age at 6:23 tomorrow morning. More than a number, I want to add something of significance to the coming year. I don’t have to save the world, or hit the lottery or anything like that (although, if anyone has any tips, I’m open 🙂 ). I do have my goal of finishing my novel before the calendar year is out, and I took a significant step to map out weekly goals to get me there (this is good for me) and actually put it on my calendar, with reminders and all. The novel, however, is my thing. What I really want to do is make a difference in the lives of people around me. I have been blessed to be able to do that, but I think I want to be more intentional about it. Spending more time with people, making myself available, using my gifts for the benefit of others.
I love having people around me who are doing just that: Hannah Katy and Estrella Azul making the world a better place through love letters. J Clement Wall challenging us to love fiercely through her love project. My daughter Imani Tahira, telling the stories of the hurting, lonely and disenfranchised through dance. The list goes on.
My hope is that this time next year, I will be different. Better. Not better because I have done something to improve myself, but better because I have taken every opportunity to make others better.
Here’s to another year. It will both go slow and fast, but regardless of where it goes, it will be important what I, and we, leave along the path.
Notable Notables
If you want to find a simple way to lift the spirits of people around you, write a love letter. Hannah Katy gives you everything you need to participate: http://www.moreloveletters.com/
Estrella took the love letter idea and decided to touch people that aren’t even expecting it: http://estrella05azul.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/love-lettering-my-world-a-summer-of-love-letters/
J. Clement Wall started a movement, just asking people to be willing to love. Imagine the possibilities: http://www.ahumanthing.net/
Imani Tahira and Tahira the Pure Dance Theatre have become the voice of the voiceless through dance: http://tahirapdt.wordpress.com/