One Year!
Sherp tour on the Athabasca Glacier
I realized this week that this week makes a year of posting my thoughts on this blog. A year ago, I was incredibly nervous to put my thoughts and feelings out there. Now I love doing it, but it is still uncomfortable for me.
My life is the same in many ways as it was a year ago, but I have made significant steps in growth in other ways. I still miss my oldest son, I still love my wonderful wife and younger son, I have the same job, my business hasn’t changed much other than the website looking different a couple times. All these things are great and keep me grounded with a firm foundation for growth. Last year I was in a season of constant growth, experimentation, and avoiding dealing with grief. The past year has taught me to face my grief while looking forward.
Most times when we grieve, I see it as looking back and wishing things were different. While I completely feel that way, it’s not the best mindset in my opinion. If we stay looking back, our future will never be brighter. It will stay dark, lonely, and sad. I prefer to use my grief as fuel to make my family’s life better and that starts with me being a better man.
I have put a lot of work into myself for the past year. I started studying the Bible more, going to a men’s group at church, signing up for challenges, learning new skills, and striving for excellence in everything I do. Mediocre is failure in my mind these days. Gone is the mindset that good enough is good enough.
I’m not sure what the future holds for me and my family, and I am ok with that. I realize that it is not my place to plan out and rely on myself for everything in my life. I am trusting God to lead me in the path he wants me to go. I am simply making myself available and willing. That may seem absurd to some of you reading this. I understand that completely because I would have thought the same thing last year at this time. It has taken me a long time to be comfortable with the idea of letting go of control over my path in life. I am looking forward to another year of sharing my thoughts and feelings with all of you.
This week I encourage you to look back at your past year and see if there is anything you feel led to change. If there is, start working on it. It just takes one step at a time to forge a new path in life. No excuses, no circumstances, just action will dictate your future self.
“For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” James 1: 3
I have also added a comment section at the bottom of each post, I’d love to hear your thoughts!