For maybe the first time in my life, I don't have the urge to up and move, or the feeling of needing something new or different. I could potentially live in Charlotte the rest of my life, or at least for the next decade. It is easily one of the coolest cities. This year my focus is not on making a lot of changes, but really discovering those things that sustain me. Getting really good at the things I do best and finding my passions. How do you make passions habits? I have finally come to the realization that I am a pretty cool person, not to sound stuck up or self absorbed, but I can see some of the ways God has so richly blessed me, the gifts and talents he has given me, and I am excited to find ways to use those talents. I am at a point in my faith where I want to pour into others.
The Middle East is something that is greatly on my mind, so very often. I think it's mostly because of my past experiences in Saudi Arabia, but I feel like I always have a connection to the people over there. I know many in my family feel the same way. Looking back, I don't think any of us thought 12 years after moving away from the Middle East that we would all carry some kind of burden for those people. There is a certain closeness that we feel to that place. My new church in Charlotte has started supporting mission efforts in Lebanon, and I think that is really when I knew I had found my new church home. I want to be involved, no matter what that looks like. God put this experience in my life for a reason and I feel like it is time to use that blessing. We will see what that means over the next year.
I have also been given the gift of leadership, although I don't always feel appointed. I am currently blessed with amazing employees that I get to work with very closely, every day. Sometimes my job doesn't feel like a blessing, which I feel miserable admitting, but it is a struggle daily to manage having a personal life, relationship with God, with friends, with anything other than work. I sometimes feel as though I am a slave to my job, which is a very common problem among managers and supervisors, or I think anyone in the hospitality industry. It often gets me down and just when I feel as though I can't possibly keep going down this path, something really good happens and I am rejuvenated instantly. My prayer this year is to develop strong friendships, you know those type of friends that love you even when you have to cancel on them last minute, and that understand that sometimes your life is out of your control. Again, I plan on being in Charlotte a while, so bring on the friends.. I'm ready!
Fitness seems to be a big thing for people every year. People join diets to quite them, exercise programs to let their gym membership sit without use for months. My goal this year is to do some kind of exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. My life can be crazy, everyone's can be, but it takes me like 30 minutes to figure out how long I can snooze my alarm before I don't have time to take a shower before work, so I figure I can make it happen. Charlotte has amazing walk ways and parks, something that has really been an encouragement, and the weather is amazing, except when it's not, and those are strictly gym days. Fresh air is the way to go though. Food seems to always be a struggle, to but it lightly, I love local restaurants, can't get enough, and a classy place called Bojangles is also my downfall. My goal is not to cut out all the delicious, dirty food that I love, but be intentional with my eating. If I know I am going to go out for dinner, eat a healthy breakfast and lunch and really enjoy myself that night. I am learning to be happy with the way God has made me, and that needs to flow into my own body image. With that being said I can 110% be more healthy, that is my goal, but at the same time, pizza is good for the soul sometimes... in moderation.
My last and final non-resolution, resolution. Prayer. That's it. There's so much power in words, especially words to our Savior. He truly is all powerful, and being given the gift of direct relationship with Him is overwhelmingly good. I have gotten out of the habit of prayer journaling, which has been a crucial game changer in my life. If you have never gotten the opportunity to learn how to pray, I highly recommend it. My life group at church is starting a new book on prayer in a few weeks and I can't wait.
And if you could not tell, I plan on blogging more, as if I haven't had the resolution before ;) but it might not be every day or even every week, but you can be sure it will be filled with a lot of fun and way too many of my thoughts.
Happy New Year Ya'll!
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