New Year Expectations
December 30, 2008 |
In this space a year-and-a-half ago, I wrote about lowering our expectations - which, according to some, is the key to happiness. While I don't believe that happiness should ever be an end-goal in and of itself, since I first wrote about that - and tried to put the whole lowering of expectations thing into practice - I've actually seen some payoff.
But this is the time of year I have a hard time lowering expectations. After the "Christmas come-down," I always get antsy for the New Year, for yet another fresh start, for another go at my life. And I always get excited about what the year ahead may bring.
This year in particular, I've got some exciting things ahead: My first book, Mama's Got a Fake I.D.: How to Reveal the Real You Under All That Mom comes out March 17. My friend (and fellow GFL contributor) Carla Barnhill and I continue to grow our Mommy Revolution with great discussion and author interviews on our blog - and will even be guests on Moody Radio's Midday Connection on January 13 to talk about our fledgling Revolution. But that's not all I'm excited about.
This March 6-8, I'm heading back to Gifted For Leadership's Synergy in Orlando. If you were there last year, you know why I'm excited about that - and why my expectations are high. There's just something about a group of gifted, thoughtful, creative, and energized women of faith gathering together to explore and affirm and celebrate the ways God is using them. It'd be cool if you could join us this year so we can see and celebrate the ways God is using you!
Beyond that, I just feel hopeful and expectant about what God is doing in my life and in the lives of many of the people around me. It's hard to manage expectations when you sense God is at work in a mighty way.
Ever feel that way? What are the things you're most hopeful about for the New Year? What has your expectations high?
Caryn Rivadeneira, managing editor of Gifted for Leadership, is author of Mama’s Got a Fake I.D.: How to Reveal the Real You Behind All That Mom. She and her family live in the western suburbs of Chicago. Visit her at her blog or The Mommy Revolution blog.
Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on December 30, 2008
Comments
I have high expectations for 2009, too! Although experience has taught me to expect God to show up, just not always in the ways I expect... This year my expectations are high about buying my first home and praying through plans for a missions trip to South Africa in 2010, which I've been tentatively planning since 2004 when I was there.
And I, too, am super excited for Synergy because it was awesome last year. Caryn, can't wait to hear more about your book, congrats!
Posted by: hollie baker-lutz on December 31, 2008