2023 Intentions

On my wall is my vision board from a few years ago. One of the phrases that reside on this board is:
“Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

My original thought for 2023 was to use a phrase, I’ve used before: “Do It Afraid.” And then I saw the phrase on my vision board and inspiration struck.

My new theme for the year is to look beyond. Day-to-day life is hard and if I concentrate on the hard, I’m going to forget just how good life actually is… and that just leads right back into a valley of despair. So, I’m going to look beyond the hard and see the joy and light and life and find reasons to laugh every day.

I’m also going to look beyond my faith journey. I heard a quote today that reminded me that building/sustaining and ultimately experiencing my faith in a visceral way is up to me. Sure it would be nice to have the support of my church community, but as I’ve come to learn over the last 18 months or so, no one is really keen on being the first to say something. But, if I am vulnerable and open up… they come running to do whatever needs to be done. So, I’m going to look beyond what isn’t happening… and just do all the things to the best of my efforts. Some weeks that’ll mean worshipping with all my heart and soul… other weeks, that will mean something completely different. All are right and I’m not going to pretend to be anything I’m not anymore.

Lastly, I’m going to look beyond myself. I will not fall back into those bad habits of believing the lies I was told or letting the contradictory voices in my head control who I will become at home, in my career, and with my friends/family.

2023 will be the year that my perspective changes for good. I will not just pretend to be an optimist, I will be one by looking beyond.