A lot has changed over the past year. It is safe to say I am walking into 2017 with far more perspective than when I entered into 2016. When we started the year we were crazy happy knowing that we were going to try to add another baby to our family. We ended the year having reached our desire to become a family of 6, but with our 6th member just out of arms reach. 2016 contained our highest of highs and our lowest of lows. It has tested us emotionally, spiritually, and physically but we have emerged from it stronger, more faith-filled, and more thankful for the blessings in our life.
Looking back on my 2016 resolutions the new perspective I have gained this year has allowed me to realize that I am pleased to have failed. I put my goals into place at the beginning of the year to help me stay focused on the things I wanted for myself and how I could become better. However, this year wasn't about me. Partway through, it became about Will...and that's how it should have been. I kept my focus on him and looking back, I now see that in the midst of it, I emerged a better person by not focusing on me.
Each year I set goals intellectually, physically, and spiritually. Intellectually I wanted to read 16 books. Though I only read about 10, I gained more knowledge from what I read this year than ever before. My focus shifted from fiction to more scholarly articles and research. I spent hours pouring through SOFT and NORD articles and trying to learn as much as I could to help Will have the best chance possible. Most importantly, I read more of the Bible than ever. This completely put into perspective that it is the quality of what I am reading, not the quantity that matters.
Physically, I knew when I set my resolutions that I was hoping to be pregnant this year so I backed off the running to focus on flexibility. Mid-April I was put on restriction from many activities, which basically led to me not working out the rest of the year. Though I know I have a long way to go, I am at peace knowing that the extra weight that I carry is only physical. That weight would be a much larger burden to carry if I felt like I had chosen to focus on my body for those 10 months rather than caring for Will's body. I earned those extra pounds through carrying him and caring for him. He needed me to be still. He needed me to be calm. I have gained so much insight in being comfortable with body shape and image at any stage. I am proud to carry my extra weight as I know that I gained it because I chose someone else over myself. There is no shame in that. I have also gained valuable insight on how your mental health can affect your physical health which I think will help me when understanding my students who struggle with anxiety or depression.
2016 has been the year that I feel I have grown the most spiritually. I spent most of my time last December reflecting on this goal and which direction I should focus in 2016. Looking back, there is no doubt that I heard God loud and clear when I chose to focus on learning more about the Saints. I have taken so much knowledge and strength from learning the stories behind many of the Saints, and when listening to Fr. Vu's homily at Will's funeral when he stated that Heaven didn't gain an angel, but rather a Saint who will pray for us and watch over us, it seemed like our focus on the Saints this year was divine intervention. The girls love hearing and learning about the Saints and now they have an even more special connection to them.
Each year I set goals intellectually, physically, and spiritually. Intellectually I wanted to read 16 books. Though I only read about 10, I gained more knowledge from what I read this year than ever before. My focus shifted from fiction to more scholarly articles and research. I spent hours pouring through SOFT and NORD articles and trying to learn as much as I could to help Will have the best chance possible. Most importantly, I read more of the Bible than ever. This completely put into perspective that it is the quality of what I am reading, not the quantity that matters.
Physically, I knew when I set my resolutions that I was hoping to be pregnant this year so I backed off the running to focus on flexibility. Mid-April I was put on restriction from many activities, which basically led to me not working out the rest of the year. Though I know I have a long way to go, I am at peace knowing that the extra weight that I carry is only physical. That weight would be a much larger burden to carry if I felt like I had chosen to focus on my body for those 10 months rather than caring for Will's body. I earned those extra pounds through carrying him and caring for him. He needed me to be still. He needed me to be calm. I have gained so much insight in being comfortable with body shape and image at any stage. I am proud to carry my extra weight as I know that I gained it because I chose someone else over myself. There is no shame in that. I have also gained valuable insight on how your mental health can affect your physical health which I think will help me when understanding my students who struggle with anxiety or depression.
2016 has been the year that I feel I have grown the most spiritually. I spent most of my time last December reflecting on this goal and which direction I should focus in 2016. Looking back, there is no doubt that I heard God loud and clear when I chose to focus on learning more about the Saints. I have taken so much knowledge and strength from learning the stories behind many of the Saints, and when listening to Fr. Vu's homily at Will's funeral when he stated that Heaven didn't gain an angel, but rather a Saint who will pray for us and watch over us, it seemed like our focus on the Saints this year was divine intervention. The girls love hearing and learning about the Saints and now they have an even more special connection to them.
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