Inside: While this entry comes a few days late, it is no less compelling. . . Taking inventory 2021.
Taking Inventory 2021
Before this post becomes as stale as last week’s bread, I need to spend a few moments taking inventory of 2021.
These ten questions are simple yet thought-provoking to help put the past year in perspective. For an even more abbreviated form, simply answer questions #1 and #2.
- What worked?
Combining prayer time with walking to get more steps. Staying spiritually fit while getting physically fit, you might say.
Daily devotional time. Keeping an open prayer dialogue throughout my day. (Meaning talking to God throughout my day.)
Giving myself time to think.
Resting. Keeping a light schedule. While at times I felt like a real slacker, and I had moments of really questioning why God was wanting this for me, deep down I feel there was a good reason, even if I didn’t quite understand what that reason was.
Doing virtual write-ins with some of the girls in my writing critique group.
Exercising on my rebounder! I’ve finally found a type of exercise I like!
Fruit-infused water for mild detoxing. I particularly liked adding chunks of watermelon to water.
Switching every other week to shop at Aldi, to save money. More variety in products, too.
Mondays shopping with Mom.
Saturday mornings of bacon and eggs and tomato juice with Mike while watching classic cartoons on MeTV. (Love me some Bugs Bunny!)
Sunday nights watching Monk reruns.
Haphazardly placing some sweet potato vine (edible variety) cuttings in a large corner tub at the side of the house. I did it purely for looks, not food, yet it ended up giving me more sweet potatoes than where I actually planted sweet potatoes for eating. Go figure.
Running the critique group solo while my friend Candace took a sabbatical for a few months. (But I’m glad she’s back!)
Letting go of perfectionism. Letting go of a lot of things that don’t matter, really.
- What didn’t work?
Spending too much time reading news reports and wanting desperately to see change for good and corrupt people brought to justice. Being angry about things happening around the country. While this did prompt me to pray, I spent entirely too much time reading articles and news stories. Me, the person who used to fast the news!
Trying out various types of eating plans but not losing weight. Trial and error with various supplements, although I think I’m getting closer to finding what works for me. Not there yet, though.
Not reading books enough. I didn’t finish many.
Feeling aimless and distracted. Could be that I didn’t feel very excited about my goals.
Not finishing the edit of my novel.
Me–literally! I didn’t work much, so I wasn’t bringing in an income for most of the year. The editing jobs weren’t coming in.
- What surprised you? (Whether good or bad.)
That I got Covid right before Christmas. (Definitely bad.)
- What disappointed you?
That I got Covid right before Christmas. (We had to cancel our Christmas this year.)
- What were you most proud of?
That despite question #2, I actually stayed optimistic and positive for much of the year.
- What gave you the most joy?
Spending time with my family and friends.
- What drained you?
I honestly don’t remember feeling drained this past year. It could be because I spent so much time resting and keeping a light schedule.
- What wasted your time?
Reading too much news. (See question #2.)
- Who did you enjoy spending time (or connecting) with?
Mike. Mom. Emily and Jared. Karisa. Patty. Joy. Kaitlyn. My writing critique group.
- What gave you the most peace?
Knowing God has a plan for good things in the very near future. Living in a safe place with no restrictions on my freedom.
_____
It wasn’t a banner year, and Christmas was disappointing–and I love Christmas! Yet despite all that went wrong, I still experienced joy and kindness and love and happiness. I even laughed a few times. (Okay, more than a few.)
I look with hope toward 2022. The year of double portion.
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