A friend asked me whether I would make New Year’s Resolutions this year. After all, so many of the things I set out to do last year came to a halt after March. It turned out to be a hard year to launch a business facilitating retreats or do much of anything with the kids’ schools closed for the spring and quarantining off and on through the fall semester. So much of last year didn’t go as planned. I was reminded over and over that on a grand scale, I am not in charge of this world. I was alternately frustrated and blessed by the realization.
Still, I will make resolutions. I will make lists of goals, hopes, and plans. In fact, I’m being more intentional about them than ever. This year, I’ll be considering what’s really meaningful to do with my time. I’ll think, not only in terms of things to accomplish, but also the ways that I can bring light to dark places in ways that are less bound by circumstances. I’ll think about how I can use my gifts and tangible resources to strengthen the people around me so that they can accomplish their goals. I will resolve to make the most of the next year I’m given.