Having little to do with the list, here’s me speaking and painting. Click to check it out.
As I’m prone to do, whether or not it’s at the turn of the year, but then especially, I take a quick look at where life’s been taking me.
Listing high points and low, I found more of the high, but the learning came mostly from the low. (And that’s another high point.)
You might want to do the same exercise, and share it with a friend. Here’s mine (shared with a friend).
The year’s high points:
All travels, particularly the distant ones–Papua New Guinea, Oregon, Arizona, Washington, Wyoming, Kansas City and Chicago (Anne only), and Jericho/Israel. (The trip to Papua New Guinea was to explore subject matter for a new book. I drafted some 20 chapters before anesthetizing it for lack of focus.)
All relationships, including a number of new ones of deep interest. (This category, relationships, may be the essence of living.)
Mornings with God: Quiet connections between my mind and His, with my taking notes. (I have His notes.)
A further clarifying of my personal calling, providing focus for my months and hours.
Weekly gathering of close friends, sharing our minds, learnings and lives. (Missed our retreat this year, but enjoyed many pot-lucks.)
Weekly coffee with closest friend, the continuing of a 20-year conversation on every topic and lots of laughter.
Publishing a new book, People of the Earth, and further distribution of last year’s, It’s About Life.
Painting, probably a hundred pieces. Continuing to teach.
Blogging, on a fairly regular schedule on many topics, some reflective, some historical, some motivational, some “just because.”
The Year’s Low points:
Jury duty, when, on reflection, we didn’t provide justice to the plaintiff.
Learning: Be careful about taking someone to court.
Road accident, involving son-in-law Vernon with resultant long coma and ongoing restoration.
Learning: Seeing daughter Allison rise to the crisis in attitude and inner strength. (Her blogs have been particularly heartening. Check the most recent, with photos BY four-year-old Justine.)
Any argument with Anne, always a low point and sours life in general.
Learning: Keep talking . . . do not let the sun go down on your wrath.
My father’s death (four months after my mother’s the year before).
Learning: (1) It wasn’t really a low point, rather a “life point,” (2) I’ve moved into his slot, and (3) reviewing their lives has done me good.
Weaving through all this is a myriad of “Mid-Points,” the stuff of normal life. But reviewing these is instructive, and makes me appreciate all–both the high and the low. It’s life: Always worth examining.
Now it’s your turn.
_______
PS. In the last few days I’ve spoken three times, different talks, each while painting. One of them was videoed. Click on the picture.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
12:26 pm
Thank you! I’m ‘examining my highs and lows’ w/instant ‘ahah’s’ as I read yours. As always, your wise comments are enriching. Congratulations on such a full and beautiful and enriching life to you and Anne.
1:02 pm
I appreciate your twist on the how the Lows can be seen as highs…I have often thanked God the most for the trials and tribulations that I have gone through…in large part because of the positive effect those events had on my relationship with him…
Thanks for sharing the video…I was just about to ask you if there was one and you must have know I was going to ask…
2:07 pm
What a year it has been! Thanks for helping me remember things I’ve already forgotten that affect me too. I especially like your putting ‘arguments with Anne” as a low point. I don’t see them happen often, but I don’t know what marriage is complete without a few here and there.
2:11 pm
Thank you Hyatt for your reminder to take stock and be thankful for our blessings and learn from our mistakes. It’s easy to not do either at the pace of life these days. Blessings to you and yours!
3:38 pm
As always thought provoking, and we need that from one another. Thank you. Rejoicing with you in the highs and praying for you and the family in the tough times, like Vernon’s accident and recovery. We receive Allison’s blog and appreciate the daily updates. You’ve raised an amazing daughter. I so appreciate her honesty. We’re continuing to pray for Vernon’s complete recovery, and that the Lord will continue to use you and Anne for His Glory. Merry Christmas, and a very Happy and joy-filled New year.
Judie (and for Ed too)
9:13 pm
I have always appreciated your purposeful reflectiveness (that is apparently not a word, judging by the red line that appeared beneath it). I can see the need for more of it in my life! Thanks for all you share, and inspire, through your blog.
6:25 am
Hyatt,
Just now watched/listened to your message at CBC.
It is excellent.
What a blessing!!!
Sara
7:44 am
Thank you, Hyatt. You expand my horizons with lots to think about. Allison’s blogs are also challenging and inspiring.
9:39 am
Appreciate the call to perspective, Hyatt. It’s easy to see design in the highs, but there’s also the Psalm that says, “Though you have made me to see troubles, many and bitter…” with His promise of comforting us and restoring us. Those are the times when we look up, and wait. And He does come, not always immediately, but ultimately.
6:34 am
Hyatt, not only do you write your thoughts so beautifully, you are one of the most productive persons I know, on so many levels. I will take an account of my life and see if my year was even close. Not that I am competing, but I will see if I used my precious time that my Lord gave me productively. Merry Christmas Hyatt and Anne.
10:05 am
Just watched your “art illustrated” CHRISTMAS message at Capo Beach Christian. Very unique and original approach to the story of God’s gift to mankind. Well done !!!
Merry Christmas to the extended Moore family and all these friends.