Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Reflections

This is the time of year when everyone reflects on the previous year and discusses how good or bad it was, what they learned, and what they resolve to do better in the coming year. I'm just not one of those, and it struck me as odd this year.

Should I be one of those? It seems good to take stock of where you've been, where you are, and where you're going. How else do you grow and change in the directions you want to grow and change. Can't let the winds decide where you're going.

Don't I reflect? So I reflected on my lack of reflected. Turns out I do reflect on the year, but I do it in seasons. A year seems like a big chunk of time to me, too much for me to think about at once. I think back on a season once it is over and determine if it was successful or not and what I will differently the next time that season rolls around.

Soccer season, wedding season, Christmas season, birthday season, the school year, half-marathon training season, those are the kind of seasons in my life.

I reflected at the end of soccer season that I wanted a folding chair and I didn't want to sit on blankets or bleachers (if there even are any) at games anymore. When Tim's mom asked what I wanted for Christmas, I told her a folding chair. Got it. Soccer season will be better next year.

I have been caught unawares in birthday season before, and I'm not doing that again! Plans are being developed right now for the birthday in three weeks, at the start of birthday season in our house. It really starts with Tim in two weeks, but he's easy, steak dinner with all the fixings, and he's good to go!

The first half of Simon's pre-school year as not gone as smoothly as I had hoped, so I've got a new curriculum on it's way to me now. Coming recommended from a friend who is using it for her pre-schooler.

At the beginning of 2010 I began to make a meal plan for each week (mostly), and have found that my life is so much easier when I know what we're having for our meals. I'm keeping the meal planning of course, and adding in some new chores for me and the boys in an effort to keep the kitchen cleaner. I struggle with cleaning up after I cook. I think I get it from my Grandma! I'm trying to change my mindset that dinner isn't really over until the dishwasher is running and the table/stove/counters have been washed.

Turns out, I do reflect, I do it all the time. I prefer to do it in smaller chunks where I can see progress and tweek as I go. For a 2010 recap, it was a great year, not to say there weren't bumps in the road, but I love my husband more now than I did a year ago, and I've learned how to parent my boys individually better in the last year. If I'm improving on the wife and mom fronts, it's a win!

1 comment:

Dan and Peg said...

"So I reflected on my lack of reflected" Love it!! I kinda couldn't believe you when reading this post, just because I think you are quite reflective. You are a great wife, mother, and person, always striving to do better. It takes humility and reflection to look at the areas of your life needing improvement and then make a plan to do just that. I think I'm more with you, and don't really look at the whole year at a glance. I may take things by season, or a certain amount of time to assess and change things. Keep up the good work!