dailydatewithgod

This time of year brings about a level of consciousness to how we are living our lives. As we wrap up the year, we look at where we have been, what we have accomplished and where we want to go in the next year.  There are top ten lists of all kinds from movies, people, major events, sayings, and trends of all kinds. Whether one is interested in stopping and reflecting on the year it is being asked of us by many different people.  There is talk of new year’s resolutions or intentions and what hopes we might have in the coming year after reflecting on how we have spent this year.  It is all quite arbitrary considering that the construct of the end of one year and the beginning of the new one is a change of numbers that some dudes in robes in Rome decided on centuries ago.  But is an agreed upon system of measurement.  The reality is that we can reflect at any moment.  Each time we are given a breath, one moment ends and another begins.  We can choose then, even if it is random Sunday in December, to reflect on how we spent that moment and want to spend the next.  I like this time of year with its contemplation and reflection.  I like checklists and evaluations because my ego wants to validate that I can still fit my definition of self-a good employee, a good friend, a good citizen, an all around responsible human being, etc.  There is nothing wrong with those definitions, but they are limited to the outer expressions. This year as I look back I want to notice if my heart has grown any bigger.  What uncomfortable situations have I walked through holding God’s hand that seemed like a mess but allowed me to let go of an old idea?  How often have I laughed?  How many people have I stopped to look in the eye?  Was I as present as possible in my top ten conversations with those that I love this year?  Did I get back up after I got knocked down and did I learn from my “mistakes”?  What ways am I open to my heart growing more in the next year?  How many people do I want to be of service to next year without them knowing?  Do I want to listen closer when God and I spend our date time together next year?  Will I spend less time doing and more time being?  My prayer for us today is that as we wrap up the year in gifts and reflection, we be open to acknowledging the unseen ways in which we have been this year and look forward to more.  Make it a great one!  Peace~Colleen