Here’s something that will do you good and it’s a perfect time to do it. Look back and consider the last 12 months since you looked forward to the year ahead. Write it down. Then share it with a friend, or friends.
I wrote mine in categories (you can form your own):
Life in general
Relationship to God
Goals accomplished
High points
Low points
Learnings
Best books
New friends and living examples of life well lived
I found the whole exercise quite profitable. And you know what Socrates said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” (Or was it Plato?)
For me, the publishing of It’s About Life was a pleasant accomplishment of a goal I’d had for some time. And I learned that, what with self-publishing, there’s no excuse for not writing a book if you want to.
The death of my mother and the still slow dying of my father has been another “learning” about how our lives end and the inevitability of it all.
I turned 70 and realized afresh that meaningful work is as important as ever, just no longer in the form of a “job.”
In traveling to Spain I also determined that, for us, every year should include experiencing some new and distant place.
I saw again that home is a very pleasant place to live.
High points were plenty and low points few, the latter mostly of my own doing.
Under Relationship to God, I wrote: More and more, the only reason to live—and the only belief that makes any sense.
For New Friends, I named a few who are showing how it looks to live purposely.
So there’s mine. Make yours and you’ll find yourself further along on living purposely yourself.
Right on?
Write on.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
11:27 am
What a beautiful way to look back on this year! The years now seem to fly by much more quickly now and it’s easy to let them, without ever taking stock! Thanks for the reminder and may God continue to bless you and Anne!
11:58 am
Excellent advice. . . worth pondering. Congrats on your book. I relate to the journey with your mother and father. What wisdom our parents impart throughout life and none more compelling than in their last years. May we be good students of their examples.
Wishing you and your family a blessed New Year.
3:20 pm
Yes, I too believe that you should always be looking back and examining your life as it is unfolding. Hindsight is always 20/20 they say, so we can look back with a clear vision it appears. Thanks for the reminder! Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a great 2014!!!!!!!!! Blessings!!!!!!!!!!! Lisa
6:58 pm
It’s like a photo album, Hyatt. I’m doing mine with pictures and objects, like a collage. As I’m piecing this year together, it’s truly amazing what all God takes us through … thick and thin, up and down, win and loss. The power of the Great Affection with us, through it all. A courageous and joy-filled New Year to you and Anne!
8:58 pm
Once again thank you Hyatt for your thoughtful sharing. I am up here at our remote cabin with 18 family members after having skied 9 miles to get to the cabin with a straight on view of Denai, the great one. So blessed and so up for the challenge of deepening relationships and especially with Christ in 2014. I turn 60 in February and I have a whole lot of “want tos” for the next decade. I really appreciate your blog and your revealing of yourself as you journey. It’s a blessing to have fellow seekers. Happy New Year to you and Ann.
Best to you. Pam Libby
8:39 am
I can’t believe it will be 2014 around the corner. Yes reflecting is important. I have been doing that this week before reading your blog. My heart keeps going to my ever growing family that God has slowly restored and getting to know my Savior more and more. Also to be heavenly minded and to be content in whatever situation I am in, to be in the moment.