Time is fleeting and this realization comes with age. But, goodness, this year has flown by! I can hardly believe that as I’m writing this, we’re less than 48 hours from 2019. Like most everyone else, I’m eager to establish new goals, resolutions, and intentions. But, first, I’d like to take a few moments to reflect back over the joys and lessons of 2018. Here’s a little window into what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown over the past 365 days
It’s Never too Late to Start Over
I have been a stay-at-home mom for several years now. I don’t regret a single minute of it. I’ve had the privilege of being present for every single milestone, fever, cough, and sniffle, and everything in between. These years have been precious, but as my little ones have become more and more independent, I find that it is time for me to allow more time and space to explore my personal goals and aspirations.
I’ve struggled with the challenge of getting myself back into the working world. I can tell you, and under good authority, that gaps in your resume do matter. And they can be especially difficult to overcome when you’ve got a little age on you. In addition to the time I’ve taken off, I’ve completely changed industries and these transitions have presented a great amount of frustration and self-doubt. Nonetheless, I find that my vision is slowly coming into fruition. I’ve managed to get my foot in the door and, although business is not yet booming, I’ve had a steady stream of clients and relevant experiences that have been so complimentary to our lifestyle and my goals that I can’t help but believe that I am exactly where I need to be right now.
So often the focus is on making big moves, but I’ve found that it’s the small steps in between that truly allow us to find our footing and get moving in the right direction. I’m grateful for the where I am today. If you find yourself in a similar situation, or just in a place of desiring change, go for it. There will be obstacles to overcome, but these are necessary for growth. You’re not too old to do something different. It’s okay to desire change. Have a dream, write your vision, and nurture your goals.
Trying Times Build Marital Character
We’ve had a trying year as a family. We re-located in the latter half of 2017 to be closer to my aging parents. My husband retired from the military and returned to school full-time. I did what was necessary for me to become more educated in my current field and things got pretty murky there for a bit. My husband, great provider that he is, worked fulltime overnight while completing his degree program and that in and of itself was a beast. It was hard on him as an individual and it was hard on our family life as well. The girls missed their father, I missed my husband, and once again I found myself 100% in charge of caring for our kids and home. The details are far too expansive for this post, but trust me when I say that the situation was less than ideal and was a far cry from my expectations of transitioning from military into civilian life.
I understand now that this short season was necessary for us to gain equilibrium. It was so hard to see the forest when we were in the thick of the trees, but it’s all coming together now. D graduated from a local university this past summer. He is working a very regular and respectable job with predictable (diurnal!) hours and holidays. Furthermore, his schedule compliments the work that I do and, for now anyway, we are cruising. We are in a very good place as a couple and as a family and I pray that as we are moving through this that I can maintain that tough times don’t last always and frequently come with lessons we need to learn.
When situations are hard, it’s important to continue to love fiercely, look beyond the immediate, and focus on the greater goal. Yes, it’s easier said than done, but I value these experiences and the growth they’ve brought me as an individual and our family as a unit.
Trust the Process
Transitions are inevitable. The only constant is change. Leaps of faith cultivate deeper faith.
This entire year has been about change and change is the one thing we both crave and fight. We know it’s necessary for growth, but it’s so uncomfortable that we resist it with every twist and turn. My faith has grown tremendously this year. Not because everything has worked out as I planned, but by trusting the process, being patient, and waiting for my cue, I can see that God has been moving me in the right direction all along.
I’ve learned to not be upset over closed doors and rejections as these are signs that I don’t belong here or there. I’ve learned to move slowly and become more in tune with my intuition. I am blessed in that there is no rush, there is no hustle and grind, there is no deadline. I have the gift of choice and the opportunity to think about what I want. I have the freedom to make meaningful decisions that will fertilize my vision and help prepare for the harvest of the impact I’d like to make long term.
2018, I’m so glad we’ve had this time together. You’ve been a teacher, a nurturer, and a visionary. You’ve provided glimpses of what’s to come and shed light into things that need to be released. I’m certain you’ve prepared me for everything 2019 will bring and for this, I am grateful 😊
CreatingJoi 