January 01, 2007
New Years Reflections- A Meme
I borrowed this wonderful reflective list from
Smoothstone back in September... and you thought that I just post away, yes I plan many posts far in advance!
Here are some questions to think about on New Years Day, consolidated by
Rabbi Kalman Packouz. I decided to set this up as a meme. Please email me back if you choose to do this I would love to read your answers.....
1.
When do I most feel that my life is meaningful? When I am involved in something and aware that it is a way for me to worship God
2.
How often do I express my feelings to those who mean the most to me? More often than is the norm for my family
3.
Are there any ideals I would be willing to die for? Yes, I believe that I would die for my faith and values
4.
If I could live my life over, would I change anything? Yes, I would have done a lot of things differently
5.
What would bring me more happiness than anything else in the world? Having the time and the resources to be involved in ministry
6.
What are my three most significant achievements since last New Year? Stayed on current job
Had Vision Restored
endured my Mother's death
7.
What are the three biggest mistakes I've made since last New Year? Spent too much money needlessly
Not pursued my goals effectively
Not taken as good a care of myself as I could
8.
What project or goal, if left undone, will I most regret next ?
Developing a 5 year plan for my future career
Ditto a Retirement plan
9.
If I knew I couldn't fail, what would I undertake to accomplish in my life?
develop and open a jewelry repair business
Go into full time ordained ministry...(its the 5-7 years of education I find daunting)
10. What are my three major goals in life?
redevelop and perhaps redefine my spiritual life
Find meaningful work that I can do that will support me
No matter what, be true to myself
10b
What am I doing to achieve them? I am spending 5 weekends in spiritual retreat in 2007
I am actively pursuing a new perhaps "part time" day job so I can explore other options
I am no longer living in the Macro, what is good for Woody , the household ect. If I continue to do that I will spend the rest of what is left of my life pushing buttons and saying "what if?"
10c
What practical steps can I take in the next two months toward these goals?
I have committed to reducing my need for the income level I am generating. I am taking my savings and paying off all of my personal debt.
11.
If I could give my children only three pieces of advice, what would they be?
Love God and serve Him with all that is within you. That is true happiness
12.
What is the most important decision I need to make this year?
What can I do to make the second half of my life really count?
13.
What important decision did I avoid making last year?
Going forward with my business plan
14.
What did I do last year that gave me the strongest feeling of self-respect?
Showing up at my Mother's funeral, in the face of a hostile crowd
15.
When do I feel closest to God?
When I am singing
16.
Do I have a vision of where I want to be one, three and five years from now? Sort of
17.
What are the most important relationships in my life??
Woody and a few members of my family
Over the last year did those relationships become closer and deeper or was there a sense of stagnation and drifting?Both
What can I do to nurture those relationships this year?I will try to make a greater effort to stay in closer contact. I will try to make more time for Woody
18.
If I could change only one thing about myself, what would that be?
150 pounds
19.
If I could change one thing about my spiritual life, what would it be?
I wish I could accept the sovereignty of God more thoroughly
take the New Years Meme Challenge and let me know if you do this one.
