Another Christmas has come and gone, and it's that time of the year when it's a good time to reflect, give thanks, and then start to clarify existing goals and make some new plans.
I've been working on living life and operating my business on the 12-week year, dividing the year into 12-week segments. It helps me to remain focused, stops me from procrastinating and keeps me accountable. (See tomorrow's blog for the 12-week year plan)
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
However, when making plans, it's always good to reflect and give thanks for what we have achieved already, to seek Jesus and to ascertain what we already have in our hands to work with moving forward.
Why is reflection important in life?
Reflection helps us to develop skills and abilities and then review their effectiveness because
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always be where you've always been." (T. D. Jakes)
"Reflective thinking turns experience into insight." (John C. Maxwell)
Rather than carry on doing things as we have always done them, reflection helps us to question, in a positive way, what we do and why we do it and then decide whether there is a better, healthier and more efficient way of doing it in the future.
Leo Tolstoy wisely said, "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself", so this week I encourage you to schedule some quiet space to reflect and consider all that you are thinking, feeling and doing so that you can clarify your why and what motivates you moving forward.
Spend some quality time with Jesus. He will help and enable you to see the hidden things in your heart, what abilities and skills you may have discounted in your plans moving forward, and your life through His perspective and plan.
Consider your health, relationships, spiritual journey, goals, and achievements and whether you are dealing with your hurts and disappointments or carrying them around with you.
As you reflect, you can then readjust and refocus on your goals and the dreams God has placed in your heart and make action steps to see them achieved.
Where you feel you have failed or have disappointments and frustrations, God will, if you ask Him, give you the wisdom to make better decisions, heal your hurts, energise you to keep on your journey and direct you on the right path to take.
"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards". (Soren Kierkegaard)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this day and your hand upon my life. Please help me to take some time to reflect and listen to your guidance so that I can continue to grow into all that you created me to be. In Jesus name Amen