Dear Bridge Family,
We’ve had quite a year, each of us, all of us, collectively. And now another year is fast approaching, and we might be feeling a bit wary of what it might bring to add to the pile!
If Covid did anything, it beat some of the “happy clappy” out of us, and took away our rose-coloured glasses, and may have left us more cynical than in the past.
But a New Year is still a place in our lives that can be a marker for change. We’re not talking about the kind of change that we might try to make with a resolution, but rather a thoughtful reflection where we adjust and plan for the changes we want to see happen in our lives.
In thinking about this we wanted to offer some questions for you to consider if there are things that you would like to either leave behind or move towards in this coming season. You are welcome to interact with each of these questions or pick and choose which questions might be helpful to you.
When you look back at 2022
- What did you learn or embrace that has strengthened you?
- What did you find yourself challenged by repeatedly?
- Are there things that you “picked up” that you want to lay down?
- Is there anything you laid down that you would like to pick up again?
When you look ahead to 2023
- Can you articulate a hope you may have for this coming year (season)?
- Are there any voices in your life that you would benefit from listening to more often?
- Are there any influences or influencers that really don’t move you towards what you are hoping for?
- What is the thing or things that bring you the most life and re-energize you?
We won’t tell you what to do with these questions, or the answers that come. This isn’t a project or a formula, just a thought experiment that may lead you to some perspective and realization of aspects of your life that need to be noticed.
Something that may be fun is to listen for a word for this coming year. Many of you already do this, but if you don’t, it can be interesting to have that as a thread that weaves through this coming season and that you can look back on to see what you may not have seen in the moment.
Praying this coming year has each of you rising to the reality of who you are, and when you look in the mirror you recognize yourself and say, “I see you!” and “I love you!
Blessings of courage and hope as we head into another year together.
Eden and Sarah