2014 Jar of Joy

Every year we always, as humans, tend to reflect on the past 365 1/4 days in order to learn from and better ourselves for the upcoming year.  The year 2013 is no different as I sit here in the last hours of dusky sunlight of yet another momentous year.  Facebook even included a "Year in Review for 2013" in order to make my life convenient and help me look back on the many fond memories I had through posts, comments, and pictures.  I will say, while 2013 was a tough year with the loss of my Grandpa "Ole", the struggle with my mother's health, and a not so great school year from January to May, it was a great year of growth, of self-awareness, joys, and adventures.  I get teary-eyed thinking how blessed I really am and that I often do take many things in my life for granted.    I have an awesome and well-paying job with great colleagues and students to work with, finances are not a worry, a roof over my head and plenty of food to eat, the opportunity to travel and see the world, and many, many family and friends who love and support me in so many ways!  Oh, yeah, and then there the Big Guy upstairs who is always there even if I sometimes doubt His Presence and Intervention in my life.  I can't imagine my life any different even with those stressful moments and experiences; without those struggles, I wouldn't be who I have become and will become because I do still have a lot of growing up to do, right?

Many of us, including myself, have often made those "New Year's Resolutions";  The ones that dictate how many pounds we're going to lose, how much time we are actually going to not spend at work (well, at least that's my experience), how I'm going to manage my time and money better, how I'm going to find Mr. Right, how I'm going to be a better friend, how I'm going to become more spiritual and closer to God, etc., etc., etc.  They are all great goals and while I have my own personal set of accomplishments that I want to attain and may not achieve this year, and honestly, I'm okay with that.  I often review my goals and adapt as I need to.  I've learned that life happens, and while I have good intentions, I can't be Superwoman and need to be realistic and practical, too.

With that in mind, I have something I'm going to do a little differently this year.  Yes, I still have my goals that I have set for myself and have accountability with friends and family, but I appreciate my friend, Mirna's, posting this week.  It was a picture of a jar, and on the jar was a note that said,

"Fill an empty jar with notes about good things that happen.  Then on New Year's Eve, empty the jar and see what awesome stuff that happened this year!"

I thought, "WOW! What a novel and simple concept!?  There is always someone out there that has far better ideas than me, and it's the perfect way to reflect back on those small moments in one's life that we so often forget.

So my goal is to everyday, say the prayer that, thanks Joyce Rupp and her creative prayers and writing, is attached to my jar and add a note, a momento (a ticket stub or wine cork or something small that can fit inside the jar and still have room for 365 lovely memories to reflect back on.)  I honestly think it's better than Christmas!

I'm excited for the endless adventures and joys that await me in 2014!  And I can't wait to relive those moments on December 31st, 2014!

May God bless you and your new adventures and joys in this upcoming new year.  I will leave you with the prayer that I will say every day as I reflect upon my days in 2014.

Faithful Companion, 
In this new year I pray:

~to live deeply, with purpose,
~to live freely, with detachment,
~to live wisely, with humility,
~to live justly, with compassion,
~to live lovingly, with fidelity,
~to live mindfully, with awareness,
~to live gratefully, with generosity,
~to live fully, with enthusiasm.

~Joyce Rupp

My year in review through pictures, 2013:

Overlooking Lake George in New York State on my NE Vacation

Grandpa Ole; what a handsome and greatly missed man!

Finally, I became one of the Doctor's companions!

Biking in SE Minnesota with my family!

My Ohio Family with Laura and Emily on our trip to the NE!

One of my favorite moments: getting up at 3 a.m. on 3 hours of sleep to watch the sunrise on the first place where sunlight hits the continental U.S. in Acadia, Maine.