_{When reflecting, it can be tempting to be hard on ourselves.}

Words to SPARK your Heart-Song from our co-founder Sherry Douglas.

Hi everyone. I’m Sherry Douglas with Heart-Song. Christmas has come and gone, but I hope the meaning of the celebration is still full and present in your heart. Unbelievably, in just a few days, a new year will dawn. Before we ring in the new one, it is well worth our time to review the one we’re still in. Investing time in journaling, if that’s your thing, or discussing 2021 with a trusted friend, will be helpful before jumping right into 2022. Here are a few questions to get you started. You’ll most likely come up with some of your own, too.

~What brought you joy and how can you do more of it?

~Who did you invest in and in what ways? How did you give of yourself?

~Who do you want to thank for the influence he /she had in your life? How are you better because of this person?

~In what ways did you grow spiritually or emotionally? How does this make you a better you?

~What of 2021 do you want to be sure to continue in 2022? Why?

As you journal or discuss these questions, allow your mind to wander and enjoy the process. Set yourself up for success by not hurrying. Perhaps you need to ask yourself one question a day versus trying to answer them all at one time. Do what is best for you. Do what will give you the most insight to move forward into 2022.

When reflecting, it can be tempting to be hard on ourselves. Let’s remember, there is always room for improvement in how we live our lives. Acknowledgment and learning from it, but not wallowing in it, then moving forward is what is important.

In Philippians 3:13-14 of the New Testament, the apostle Paul states it like this, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.” Paul knows there is room for improvement. He says he’s not all he should be. But he also knows where to expend his energy on one thing – looking forward to what lies ahead.

May you look forward to your promising future. Run your race well! Live the way you want to be remembered.

See you next week.