It’s Challenge Tuesday and YIKES we are almost finished with January! Is it me or did this month just fly by? How are you doing with your 2019 goals? Is it time to recommit?
No goals? Then I guess it’s all going according to plan. With or without goals this statement holds true for many: No Change = No Change.
In my Today I Begin Again post earlier this month I encouraged my readers to consider adopting a Word for the Year – one that would represent God’s priority for them in 2019. If you chose one, I would love to hear how that’s working for you.
My word is Self-Care. My progress-to-date has been surprising. At first, I thought “Yeah right, this is just another word for lose some weight Maggie!” While yes, I’ve made some conscious changes in the area of nutrition and exercise (after all I’m a Health Coach too!). I’ve discovered some unexpected self-care blessings when making time for the people and the things that matter to me. To name a few:
- One on one time with my 9-year-old granddaughter, Sammi. Hope to do the same in February with Adam – my 11-year-old chatterbox.
- Joined several of my girlfriends – we piled into a car and drove to encourage a fellow friend as she debuted in her first community theater role.
- I said YES to serving on a Kairos prison ministry retreat weekend in the Spring. What? Do I have time for that? It involves several Saturday team training meetings as well as an entire weekend dedicated to serving at Hernando Correctional for women. With two team meetings behind me I am so grateful to be in the company of so many on-purpose and generous women.
- I’m committed to blogging here and for my Chispa Magazine column on a weekly basis.
- Took time out to have lunch with two special friends at a new-to-me restaurant, Ulele on Tampa’s Riverwalk. Great place with excellent food!
- Continued work on my first book.
- Started redecorating my office, and more…
Whew! I should be tired but I’m not. I’m energized. Yes, I’ve spent quite a bit of time with others but that’s my love language. Quality time matters to me. I’m well on my way to spending more quality time with the Lord – started a sabbatical. I’m retreating to our motor home right in my back yard. More to come on this adventure – stay tuned.
I’ll be real… Life isn’t perfect. But as I take action to move closer to God’s best for me, I find peace in the storm and rekindle a hope for the future. Clearly no change for me would look like that droopy poinsettia that’s fighting for life on my porch. I’m watering my daily life with the adventures the Lord brings to me because He says that I matter.
What about you? How have you moved forward in the plan the Lord has for you? Consider inviting each day in with this statement, “Today I begin again.” Examine your yesterdays. Take note of what you are most proud of and consider improving in the areas where you didn’t do as well.
Disappointed? Today might also be a good day to face your secrets – to dig deep to understand what is really keeping you from moving toward your personal best. Psalm 139:7-12 reminds us that God already knows. No point in trying to keep secrets from Him.
Praying you share your challenges openly with the Lord, that you experience those precious ah-ha moments as you find clarity and gain the resolve to take the next best step. Let’s have an awesome on purpose February!
The Time is Now
You Matter. God said so. If you haven’t done so already this year, do something about it!
Not sure where to begin? Schedule a coaching session to explore your options and put a plan in place.
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Photo by Estée Janssens
Maggie Sabatier-Smith
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