New Year Goals

I’ve heard several people comment on their “word of the year” and I really like the concept of focusing on one area to really lock into and try to improve upon.  The word I have felt (screamed!) prompted to address this year is “busyness”.

Let me be the first to say, whenever someone asks me how we are, my reply is typically “busy”.  Or many a time I’ve shared on the blog just how chaotic our life seems to be.  This year, 2016, I’m making a goal to slow the heck down.

In our culture, exhaustion is a status symbol.  If we share with others just how busy our lives are, it is implied that we live meaningful lives that others can marvel at all we have to do.  I have noticed often that many people actually brag about how chaotic their life is, as if to prove just how busier they are than you.  You ever felt that way?  I have.

In the first few weeks of 2016, my Lifegroup (aka church small group), my daily devotional and a Bible study I’m in have addressed “busyness”.  When my life feels chaotic I’m stressed, anxious and quite frankly, not very kind.  I lash out on the people I value the most and feel pretty terrible.  And I don’t really like that Emmalee.

We had a pretty stressful close to 2015, and our calendar isn’t any less full entering the new year, but in gaining a little perspective about slowing down mentally and physically, I already feel so much more peace in my life.  There have been a good many things already this year that would typically cause that twisting knot in my gut whenever I thought about them, but I’m finding myself leaning into Jesus, praying and trusting that issues will be resolved and chaos will not reign.

There’s so much we lose out on when worry consumes us and busyness keeps our minds (and bodies!) racing.  I have been a victim to this for much of the last several years.  It’s not easy.  Schedules are insane, commitments are never-ending, the Mom-brain never shuts off,  but for me, what matters most is not feeling frazzled and actually being able to connect with my family and my friends.

With all the craziness 2016 is sure to bring, I’m committing to myself that “busyness” will not consume me this year.  I will not take pride in it.  I will do my best to lean into Him.  I’m fully aware there will be failure on my part, but in recognizing it as an issue for me, I already feel like I’m a step ahead.  As my favorite devotional, Jesus Calling says, “Approach this day with awareness of who is Boss!”