This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase an item, I will receive a small commission. For more info, please see my disclosure on my Connect page.

The house is quiet. My family is busy today with basketball, service projects, and friends. There is so much to do to prepare for Christmas and I should be bustling around doing ALL the things. Instead, I find myself making hot cocoa and sitting down to write.

This year, the word I chose was PURPOSE and looking back the word was very good to me. 2017 was kind in general. I was invited to work on a special Easter Initiative with my church. I was asked to write for Utah’s biggest classifieds website. (Side note: You guys, I got paid for writing! Getting paid for something you love to do? I can’t even tell you how awesome that feels!) A piece I created even won an award in a nationwide furniture design contest! I felt high as a kite the first 9 months of the year. Things were picking up steam and I was feeling so good!

Then somewhere around October, the wind blew out of my sails. I’m not really sure why other than those blasted hormones, but as the days got shorter so did my fuse. My energy, my patience, my peace, all plummeted. I’ve been in this lemon of a body long enough to know these cycles are normal. It’s the natural flow. We all have planting seasons, harvesting seasons, and seasons requiring rest. Maybe this season is my body’s way of asking me to slow down. To remember to walk deliberately, with purpose.

This job of mine is great and I love it. Honestly, this is the first year where I am not embarrassed to go see my tax preparer because though minuscule, I actually made money. Pennies, but hey it’s something! It has been months since someone has asked me about my “little hobby” and man, does that feel good. I want you to know, I’m not complaining one bit. But after all that moving forward, it’s emotionally painful to take steps back. I’ve never understood why I have to have this damaged immune system, but maybe it’s partly to remind me not to run faster than I’m able. Because I have done a whole lot of running this year. My brain moves at Mach 10 but my body has a hard time keeping up.

I recently ran across a quote that made me think. (I can’t find the author, so if you know who said it please let me know so I can give proper credit!) It reads…

The new year is quickly on its way, full of new promise and adventure. I’ve got several renovation projects up my sleeve, a family history cookbook experience with tasty recipes, outdoor trips for family fun, and of course, more DIY tutorials and furniture.

I don’t know my word yet, but I do know good things are to come.

In the meantime, I’m taking this holiday break nice and slow. Scout rechartering is finally submitted, the kids are home, most of the presents are wrapped, and Hallmark is playing cheesy feel-good Christmas movies 24/7. What gets done will get done, and whatever doesn’t must not have been that important anyway. It’s time for warm fires, cozy quilts, card games, quiet reflection, good food, and being surrounded by the ones I love. Deliberate, intentional, and full of purpose.

Thank you for all your love this past year. Your kind comments and encouragement lift me and fill my heart more than you know. I wish you a meaningful Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

Enjoy the season, my friends.

Original Photo by erin walker on Unsplash