Last summer and into the fall, I’d been struggling with direction and purpose. I felt stagnant and stuck. I couldn’t figure out where life was headed, or shake the feeling that it was heading somewhere without me.
I’d been looking for a new job for a little while, because even though my job is good, I’ve been doing it for a while and I’m ready for something new. I even got a job offer back in June but it wasn’t the right fit for me. And then after that, I wasn’t really getting any more bites on my resume. It was wearing me down. Chad definitely noticed and when we talked about how it was affecting our marriage, I took that to heart.
So I decided to apply for grad school. I’d been considering that for some time but was never quite sure what to do or where to go. But after Chad had asked me to make some changes so that we could get back on track, I decided to act, and that decision was one I could make without waiting for other people to call me back about an application. Within two weeks of having our talk I had picked a program and scheduled myself for the GRE. For the next two weeks, I studied and took practice tests. After the test, I moved on to finding references, writing my application, and submitting all the paperwork. All the while I was still applying for jobs to no avail. And then…
And then I got an interview. And then I got accepted to grad school. And then I got a new position.
All this happened amidst other new projects and changes. We’re renovating our attic into a master bedroom/bathroom. I got involved with Trades of Hope. I started writing a book, instead of just talking about writing a book.
As 2016 rolled in, I was reeling from holiday projects and busy-ness and trying to wrap my head around everything that was going on already. This is going to be a year of changes, a year of grabbing hold of the reins and making things happen, a year of trying to keep up with life instead of sitting on the sidelines and watching it go by. It’s going to challenging and trying and exciting and exhilarating.
I imagine 2016 is going to be made up of days that are long and days that full and days that are too full. I imagine 2016 is going to be made up of days where it feels like too much change too quickly, days of what the hell was I thinking? I’m sure there will be tears and exhaustion and long nights, missteps and mistakes, falling short and falling apart.
But I imagine 2016 is also going to be made up of days that are amazing and new and refreshing. Full of learning and energy. Full of family and friends and new family and new friends. Full of travel and staying home, full of that’s enough and what else have you got for me? And I’m sure there will be celebrations and accomplishments, surprises and proud moments and milestones.
And I’m just going to roll with it all. (Or at least I’ll try.)
My hopes for 2016 are to roll with the changes, give myself slack and remember I’m learning, be gracious with myself and my people, and give myself the space to make it through all these transitions. Like any other year, there will be ups and downs, but unlike the last couple years, I think there will also be direction, decisions, steps forward. And I’m excited.
How about you? How is 2016 going to look the same as other years? How is going to look different?
seek. follow. love. 
2016 will definitely be full, sometimes feeling over-full for you from the sounds of it. It sounds exciting. Congratulations on the new job and grad school! I’m excited for you. If you need help, like a meal cooked ever, let us know. 🙂 (We can’t promise it’ll be as good as your cooking, but it’ll be edible.)
As for me, 2016 will be a year of learning trust. God swings curve-balls we never expected. I’m going to have to trust. Frank’s talked about going to college and hopefully we’ll see some fruit in that rather than just the talk of planting that seed. I keep thinking and dreaming of other job opportunities, but am going to try and focus on how I can be a light for God where he has me. My job allows me to be very present with my daughter and that has always mattered to me. Since I’ve been unable to stay at home with her, I guess this is a good compromise. Sometimes years feel like they are the same and they just float by. I want to be more present. I don’t want to dream, but actually live, here in the present because I’m not promised tomorrow and I don’t want to miss the blessings of today as I think about what I wish could be or should be. That is 2016 for me and my goals.
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Thanks for the support Kelly! And for sharing about your upcoming year. Sounds like a good plan for 2016! Being present is a great goal, and sometimes sticking with the status quo but making the best of it is the best goal you can have. Check out this post along the same lines http://www.choosingthismoment.com/2016/01/steady-on/
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I’m in the same direction! 2016 is going to be a whole different ball game. Its one that I am heading into with a lot of uncertainty and one that will require a BIG decision in the direction I go with career. Balancing everything is challenging. I have never been one to just sit back and watch, but I have struggled with focusing on which things I should hold on to and which things to leg go of. I go into 2016 like a monkey… hanging onto two vines, one with each hand. I have a sense that this year, I will be letting go of one of those vines. I am praying for direction, guidance, and courage. I have a sense of which direction to chose, but its scary and uncomfortable. It will require much faith, belief, commitment, and relentless pushing forward despite failures and disappointments. I’m incorporating more personal development into my daily life in addition to my devotional time, as I see it important. Strength of mind and heart will be just as important as building strategy and vision. Without these, it will be heart to push through the challenges without giving up. This was a great article to read. I sense your excitement. Many times it really is in those stagnant waiting periods that God will cause us to something greater… but we have to chose to take the scary steps and put our vision into action. You are taking it on! I’m really excited for you and the direction you are going. You are gifted, intelligent, passionate, and driven. Your heart for serving others and your compassionate spirit are ingredients for making this world a better place. 2016 will be a key year for the both of us. Moving forward with great purpose this year! Stepping forward with boldness! Here we go!
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Thanks Laura! I’m excited to see where life takes both of us. These big decisions are tough, and I’m sure we’ll mess it up sometimes, but we’ll also feel so much more fulfilled knowing we’re taking steps forward.
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So excited to see how God walks with you!
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Me too! Glad I’m not walking it alone, for sure.
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I think you’re right, 2016 is going to be a year of amazing changes. I’m excited, scared but excited. I’m glad we will have each other to figure it all out together.
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I really admire your relationship with Jamie and your public affirmation to go through this together. You two make me smile.
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Thanks! I wouldn’t want to do it without you.
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