In Jeremiah, God informs us He has a clear, definite plan for us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 29:11
From creation to Revelation, God is a planner. If He plans, I am going too as well.
As we prepare to leave 2020 in our rearview mirror, let’s use the events of this year as a reference point for 2021.
Our past is never to be a place of residence but of reference, a source of lessons learned along the way.
If you’d told me in January what 2020 would hold, I’d have mentally rolled my eyes thinking you were crazy.
We have no idea what’s in store for 2021 but we’ve hopefully now learned the importance and power of preparation.
Planning for 2021 begins with taking an honest look at life up until this moment.
Personally, 2020 shook me out of a spiritual stupor, turned off my autopilot and taught me how to live in simplicity.
Months of isolation showed me how little I really need, the value of stillness and the sanctuary of home.
No longer running at mock speed I had time to rest, reflect and finally realize why I was often exhausted, burned out, overwhelmed, stuck and jaded.
So, this year I’m taking a whole new approach. No resolutions I’ll abandon by February then feel guilty and no defining word I’ll forget by April.
So if not resolutions or words then what? This – daily choosing small but power packed actions.
Let me explain from past, personal and oftentimes painful experience.
I can set a fitness goal to lose ten pounds, pick a diet, join the gym and get cute, new fitness clothes. But if I sporadically eat a healthy meal here and do a little exercise there, the weight isn’t going to budge.
If the goal is to become financially fit, you can create a budget, swear off shopping and set a savings goal but without changing what you financially do daily, your budget is a bust and your savings account remains empty.
This is not meant to shame anyone, myself included. It is however, meant to empower you to choose then take small actions every single day.
Every action begins with a choice. That choice that results in that action is going to determine your level of peace, happiness, freedom, energy and joy.
It is choosing to remain silent when their post peeves you, to be kind when the friend snaps at you and extend grace when the stranger is rude.
It’s choosing a delicious healthy meal as an expression of gratitude for a body that’s served you well all these years.
It’s deciding to walk away from the cute shoes even when “they’re on sale” because you’d rather have financial peace of mind in these uncertain financial times.
Little daily actions add up to big results.
2020 has awakened us to the beauty and brevity of life, what matters and what doesn’t.
We’re all women having these unique, rich, human experiences while adjusting, coping and dealing with the unexpected, unwanted and undesirable.
Today we take a different, effective approach to the New Year.
So in planning for 2021 we study the areas of our lives that we desire change in then begin choosing and implementing small, daily, consistent actions that support that desire.
Just one small action over time can create noticeable change.
If you have any questions, would like more information or need a jolt of inspiration regarding planning for the new year, please don’t hesitate to message or email me at thechiccreative@gmail.com.
Sandra Hubbard
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