I was challenged at the beginning of the year to put down some goals, thanks to the Stuff I Learned Yesterday Podcast. I sat down and started reflecting back and looking forward. Little did I know how much my life would change and those goals would be a part of it.
Reflecting on 2014 and looking ahead to 2015, I made these goals.
My first goal was to write more. I must admit I have not been consistent in journaling before bed. I put it down to lack of discipline on my part. I really feel so much better mentally, physically and emotionally when I do journal at the end of the day. Yet I don’t do it. I need a quiet mind and spirit before bed and writing my prayers and worries out to the Lord before bed helps that. Yet, I’ve failed. So reflecting on that I’ve had a FAIL (First Attempt In Learning), but intend to learn and move forward. But on the positive half, I have blogged more. Counting my goals blog, I had 8 blog posts in 2015 as opposed to 3 in 2014. I’ve also tried to leave meaningful comments on other people’s blogs. I have also blogged once a week for 11 weeks thanks to a new opportunity I had this year. I have done 11 blog posts for the podcast I co-host, but more about that later.
My second goal was to learn, experience, and share more freely. I’ve been consistently participating in the #fmsphotoaday challenge of taking photos and interacting with others. Reflecting back on the year I could not have imagined two huge areas that have helped me grow in this second goal.
The first is that I have become part of the Golden Spiral Media podcast network. I’ve listened to the network’s podcasts for several years. I’ve called in feedback for a few years. In the late Summer, I was approached to step up and co-host a podcast (Gotham Undercover about the TV show Gotham). 
This was a big step and I had a lot to learn. I thank Darrell Darnell (network founder) for the great help in getting started and for Karen Lindsay (my co-hosted & experienced podcaster) for helping to break me in to this world. I have had to adjust my thinking, expectations, actions, and so much more. Producing a podcast is about sharing content and it takes a lot work to produce an hour podcast. But even more, podcasting is about gathering a community around you and fostering friendships. It has enabled me to be more open and be in the moment more often. It has caused me to be more intentional in my thinking. I’ve also, as a part of goal two, committed to share positive, God honoring, feedback to the Stuff I Learned Yesterday podcast every month if possible. That has helped me out a great deal in thinking about things I have learned and not just letting the moments and experiences pass.
Arts Alive
The second area that has helped me on goal two is working for Arts Alive Fine Art Studio. I’ve been working with Arts Alive running sound, lights and working behind the scenes since 1999. My work there has been my way of giving back and serving the Lord by serving there. I love serving there, but the issue is my school job does not pay all my bills and I needed a second job. I wanted one that would not interfere with Arts Alive. The Lord opened the door for me to work, for pay, in the office one night a week. This has been good. It has challenged me to grow, learn and help there. I’ve also gotten to talk and share with the parents at the studio. So both of these areas have help open me up more, made me more public, and grown me up. I’m so grateful to the Lord for these opportunities.
Goal three was to cherish God’s Word and cherish his people. My opportunities listed above have greatly helped me cherish the Lord’s people more. I’m so thankful that the Lord has opened those doors. Being a part of my church, Antioch Community Church, has helped me to serve and appreciate the Lord’s people locally and globally. This year we have explored the book of Ester and are now on to Nehemiah. I love history and these two historical books are filled with faith and God’s provision. The studies in these two books have blessed and encouraged me. This fall we have used the book “Praying The Bible” to help take the Word of God and use it to focus our prayers and develop our intimacy with Christ. Reflecting back, I know I still have a way to go but I’m thankful!
My fourth and last goal was to pray in a more consistent and focused way for my family, family of faith, friends, and the world. The book I just mention has helped. But reflecting back, I must admit that I have not been as focused and consistent as I would have liked this year. Again, it is an area in which I need to grow.
This year has been full of growth and changes. I must say it has been a year of blessings as well as challenges. I am so glad that I was challenged to make time to set goals, spend time in reflecting, and be thankful. It may be cheesy but this quote stands true. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” So I would challenge you to stop, reflect, pray, write, think, and set goals. I think the Lord will bless you in this effort and you will grow in all the ways that are important.
I used this post as a jumping off point for an episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday. You can find it here: http://www.goldenspiralmedia.com/stuff-i-learned-yesterday-episode-373-friday-forum
