But I think I equally enjoy the process of looking back on the past year and seeing who I am now in comparison to who I was at the beginning of the previous year. If things have gone according to any semblance of the plan (because, let's be honest, they never go entirely to plan...which is, in my estimation, a great thing - think of all that we'd miss if there weren't surprises along the way??), it is exciting to see the growth that only seemed a distant possibility at the beginning of the year.
In January 2003, I randomly wrote a list of 22 things I had learned in the year 2002, because I turned 22 that year. Here are a couple of things I had learned that year:
"#3 - I have learned the importance of following the Spirit the first time it prompts you."
"#11 - I have learned how to put one foot in front of the other, face the music, run the gauntlet, and keep from totally freaking out even when I'm standing before a particular task, person, supervisor, or client totally scared spitless."
"#18 - I have learned more intensely my serious love of Muddy Buddies."
I didn't know it then, but thus began a really fun tradition. Every January, I sit and write what I learned the previous year - I think of enough things equal to the number of my age. I now have a firsthand account of 10 years of growth and change, change that spans my 20's and into my early 30's.
Today, I went through and found each of these entries. It has been interesting to see what has largely stayed the same...
- almost every year, there is an entry that goes something like:
"#5 (2005)- I learned (again!) that I LOVE being an Aunt."
...and it has been interesting to see what has changed...
"#19 (2004): I learned that cooking main dishes scares me."
#8 (2007): I learned how to cook: a duck, pesto lasagna, meatloaf, and chive/cheese cornbread."
"#21 (2002): I learned that I love being in the Singles' Ward!"
"#1 (2010): I learned that...it's time to leave the Singles' Ward. Ugh."
Generally speaking, the learning spans the seemingly mundane...
"#2 (2005): I learned how to drive a clutch."
"#8 (2004): I learned that having a Master's Degree pays off, literally."
"#4 (2006): I learned that car accidents are a big inconvenience."
"#27 (2011): I learned that I can survive a hello hard statistics course."
"#28 (2011): I learned that I usually don't start crying over this hello hard statistics course until after 8+ hours have gone into the assignment/project. Or it's past 11:00 p.m."
...the delightful...
"#3 (2006): I learned that roadtrips with friends and/or family are loads of fun."
"#14 (2011): I learned how to collect brain data - and saw my own brain waves!"
"#5 (2008): I learned how to kayak!"
...but there are usually some weightier matters too...
"#22 (2003): I learned the importance of remembering that God loves everyone, not just me."
"#18 (2011): I learned that I hate suicide."
"20 (2008): I learned the pain that comes from watching people you love turn away from Truth."
"#2 (2004): I learned that I can appear confident, even when I don't feel confident."
These yearly reflections have created a unique measuring stick for progression in my life. I wasn't aware of it until I looked at these lists altogether in the same day, but I'm relieved to see that there is a relative degree of balance in the things I am learning from year to year. I hope I am never satisfied with focusing all of my efforts in one single area of my life. Here's to well-roundedness!
And so, today, I will add another list to my little stockpile of Things I Have Learned. As per usual, I did actually set some goals for 2012. I printed off some little placards at the beginning of the year to remind me of my goals throughout the year.
I'm happy to say some have been achieved...
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| Done. May 12, 2012. |
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| Done. Yippee! Now, to go again... |
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| Did 2! |
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| I'm 2/3 there. Trust me. That counts. |
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| This picture always makes me laugh. Because it's kind of true. |
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| Here's to 2013! |
