I, like you, spent today taking a moment to look back on the year that was. For me, the greatest joy of 2017 was the birth of my first grandchild. It has been a year of getting to know this new human being that was never before, but now, is. Watching him develop his own personality these last 8 months has been a joy. All of you Grammies and Grandpies out there know exactly what I am talking about. Looking forward to his first birthday and his first steps is a wonderful part of 2018. 2018 also holds the wedding of our second daughter on 8-8-18. I am enjoying the year of preparation for this event. Our first daughter’s wedding in 2014 was a day we’ll always remember, and to get to do it all over again is a blessing.
Looking back on the year that was in the political realm has made me complacent. I know. I should be out there ready to “fight.” Except I lost the cause of what we are fighting for. Politically I’m tired. I don’t want to fight. I’m sick of the fact that there are “two sides.” In my humble opinion I just don’t see anything happening that is good for us and our country until there are no sides. Only when the Red and the Blue decide to become Purple will any good change come to our great land. This past year I have watched families and friendships become torn apart over the election. It’s to the point that I think “Who am I to even try to predict what the future will bring?” Only God knows that. Are the Liberals right? Are the conservatives right? Are the Christians right? Are the snowflakes right? Tell me honestly, do you know? Everyone can sit there on top of their beliefs, with their arms folded, harrumphing with a smug look on their face, thinking they have it all figured out, and guess what? You heard the saying “If you want to make God laugh, make plans.” Don’t be so quick to dig in and refuse to even consider the opinions and ideas of the “other side.” The Bible clearly says, “Lean not unto thine own understanding “ and if I have learned anything over the last 7 years, it’s that I don’t understand a damn thing. Only God knows all and sees all. And with that, I tied up all things political in a tidy bandana and set it where it belongs – at the base of the cross and asked God to direct my energy in the direction that He would have it go. (I am a staunch believer in not putting energy into anything I cannot control.)
It’s ironic that I would still site not putting energy into things I cannot control in this post, because on January 3 last year in a post I made a big deal out of that very same thing – it was kind of my 2017 resolution. I guess I kept it because despite the riotous year it’s been, it’s actually been my most peaceful and calm one simply because I lived by that one principal. It’s time to think about 2018 and the only word that comes to mind is joy. Find the joy in everything. It’s 11 degrees out and I found joy in the cold breath I drew coming out of the house. I found joy in how my body felt after today’s workout. I found joy in the shower and clean pj’s I put on when we got home from the gym. And I certainly found joy in the nap I took in my chair, with the sun streaming in – cats and dogs get this.
And so, yes, as another year begins to creep by, for 2018, joy is the word. I resolve to find joy everyday in all things that cross my path. This new year I resolve to learn the lesson of joy as well as I learned the lesson of energy. Happy New Year my friends, may your 2018 be filled with joy, and may you find and savor each joyous moment.
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