i’m one of those who has been writing goals and lists and dreams and things since i was in my teens.  it’s possible i was taught by omission.  without knowing what i was reading, almost daily, i saw my dad’s written goals, lists and dreams – always highlighted in yellow and underlined in red.  they were hanging out on desks and nightstands and tucked away in books.  written on notecards,  legal pads, dog eared book pages and most assuredly memorized in his mind.  he never really taught me his method, but i somehow memorized it. and, after all, some things are just inherent.

in my early twenties i worked for, leadership guru, john c. maxwell and really learned the art of writing down goals.  i’ve been working this method ever since.  writing goals, dreams, and intentions for specific areas of my life (family, physical, spiritual, etc.) and being specific about resources for my growth by listing books, teachings, conferences i’d like to attend and so forth.  this way has worked well for me.  although, i don’t always keep my list in front of me, i’m always amazed at how things seem to happen.  this year i actually did pretty terrible at crossing things off my list.  but, the things that matter most,

i’m one of those who has been writing goals and lists and dreams and things since i was in my teens. it’s possible i was taught by omission. without knowing what i was reading, almost daily, i saw my dad’s written goals, lists and dreams – always highlighted in yellow and underlined in red. they were hanging out on desks and nightstands and tucked away in books. written on notecards, legal pads, dog eared book pages and most assuredly memorized in his mind. he never really taught me his method, but i somehow memorized it. and, after all, some things are just inherent.

in my early twenties i worked for, leadership guru, john c. maxwell and really learned the art of writing down goals. i’ve been working this method ever since. writing goals, dreams, and intentions for specific areas of my life (family, physical, spiritual, etc.) and being specific about resources for my growth by listing books, teachings, conferences i’d like to attend and so forth. this way has worked well for me. although, i don’t always keep my list in front of me, i’m always amazed at how things seem to happen. this year i actually did pretty terrible at crossing things off my list. but, the things that matter most,

to me, the spiritual goals, got checked off the list.  now when i say spiritual, i mean themes in my life, or things that i’m working on being – – like brave (which makes my list every. single. year.)  the thing is, i thought i was going to work hard on being or cultivating these things, but it’s been quite the opposite.  i wrote them out and put them out there and God, did the work — in me.  i’m actually kind of dumbfounded at how my days, my reading, my travels, my life this past year, seemed orchestrated to work towards my intentions and the areas i knew needed growth or removing.

so, my goal writing way may have just changed.  i’ll probably still write out my lingering lists ; ways to eat and exercise, tedious titles of books, and preferred places to travel.  but, most of my focus is on writing the ways i sense i need working on, from the inside rather then the out.  how to grow and guard my heart (because, out of it flow all of the issues of life).  i’m certain that, out of that will come the books i need to read, the places picked out for me, and the person i am growing to be.

BRAVE / makes the list every year.  and, every year, i find that being brave doesn’t always look like you think it does.   it looks different for every person.  what might be an act of courage for you, is not for me and vice versa.  Cultivating meaningful friendships is brave.  saying yes, is brave — and so is saying no.  resting when the world says work, that is brave too.  i’m sure i’ll learn to be brave in my days in, especially in ways I wouldn’t expect.  and, what i expect is to continue this kind of journey for all my days

REST / i’ve learned some deep, life altering lessons on resting this year.  about letting God do the work in me, and not me striving.   about learning to rest and be still in the middle of storms and literal chaos.

FAMILY / this is what my faith is. for me, it’s not a religion or tradition. …  It’s the story of a family.  God is a father and his heart is always towards his children.  from the beginning he chose us – called us his own and he longs to have a relationship with his children…to lavish them with his protection, security, unconditional, everlasting, inexhaustible love.  i want to know God as my Father and understand the idea of family better and in turn let that grace grow in my family (children).

i’ve just started writing 2015, but i can tell you, once i get started, it likely be highlighted in yellow and underlined in red.

here is one way i like to list things, if you are looking for some inexhaustible inspiration!

happy 2015, lovelies.

also, i’ll be sharing more this week on the books that i read last year.  some that i picked, and many that picked me and changed me – profoundly.