If I'm being honest, it was not easy to think about facing a new year this morning. I am a living cliche of new beginnings, New Year's Resolutions, and starting on January 1st. Otherwise, what's the point? You miss it. You have to wait until next year. That may be an exaggeration, but one thing is true:  I like a clear starting point, measurable goals and a plan. I intentionally started a year-long reading plan on a random day in November, because I knew I had other goals in mind that I would start in the New Year and did not want to set myself up for failure.

As reflections go, from what I've seen, it's been a mixed bag of good and bad. There are always some with the "Good Riddance, 2017!" attitude. There are some sentimental memories or those who have experienced monumental life events in the year and tend to have an overall positive perspective as they look back on the year. Wherever we fall on the spectrum, I think generally, we can all welcome a new year with a hopeful outlook and excitement about a clean slate. I can personally think of both the good and bad from the past year, and as a whole, I believe we are prone to more easily remember the hard times with better precision and clarity. This makes it imperative to make an effort to remember the good things, with the bad.

As I un-decorated the tree this morning, I carefully packed away the ornaments…a mixture of decorative ornaments we've had since our first Christmas together 9 years ago, ones we have received as gifts over the years, we've collected from travels or the kids had made. I began to feel overwhelming gratitude for our life. I gradually gained momentum and motivation to finish putting away remnants of the season that has ended again and felt excitement for whatever the new year may bring.

I have a long list of things I want to accomplish, improve and learn. I have more ideas and inspirations than time. I have dreams and desires for my children and how they will grow, ways I can facilitate that growth. It can be overwhelming and even daunting. But grace. My prayer is that I would have grace for myself and for those around me. 

Discernment is essential. I want to prioritize what matters and let go of distractions. I want to make messes, laugh and soak up every precious second. I want to say 'yes' as often as possible when my kids ask me to lay with them for a few extra minutes at bedtime. I want to put down my phone and date my husband, even in the living room after the kids have gone to bed. I want to push back the darkness and live in the light. I want to have the courage to wake up and show up for my life and the roles I am meant to fill for the next 365 days. I hope you will, too. Happy New Year!