Farewell, 2024!
A Personal Note to Recap the Year
2 0 2 4. It was a year full of many nuances in our world. The same is certainly true for me personally. But as I close the door on this year, I want to remember it as:
A year of declaring for myself and my family, “Someday is today.”
A year of purposeful delight in the here and now.
A year of less overthinking and more doing.
A year of less asking, “why?” more asking “why not?” and actually doing so many of the things I’ve been thinking about doing for years.
A year of slowing down long enough to notice the unexpected opportunities- and people- God places in my path.
A year of celebrating a milestone birthday and simultaneously being reminded that no day is guaranteed.
A few specific highlights that made 2024 such a powerful year for me, involved saying “yes” to the crazy ideas I had… without my typical second-guessing or over-thinking. That’s saying a LOT for a recovering perfectionist, okay?!
🌃 Texting my Mom and Sister on January 1, “NYC at Christmastime?!”…made it out of the group chat and became a reality.
🥎 Desiring to join an adult intramural team…led to actually starting one.
🎙️ Dreaming up a “what if” idea of starting a podcast?… Enter the Peek Perspectives Podcast: “Dispensing Joy.”
👁️ Hoping for clear eyesight for the first time in 30 years… underwent vision correction surgery.
🐶 Adopting our dream puppy who literally found us, through the sweetest neighbor connection.
🎂 Embracing the big 4-0 truly as a gift and a celebration…not as a milestone to be dreaded.
🛞 Swapping out a more “practical” car for my dream Jeep Wrangler…My 16 year old self would be so proud of 40-year old me.
There were countless other magical, though mundane moments that occurred between these milestones of 2024. There’s no way to articulate them all.
But the sum of each part brings me full circle, back to where I began this year: filled with the deep knowing that each day we have is a gift. It’s not always wrapped the way we would choose. Some days, the wrapping is torn and you can’t find a piece of scotch tape to save your life (because your children put it who-knows-where… don’t even get me started on the scissors, either.) But it is a gift. And what good is a gift that’s setting on a shelf, no matter how pretty it looks all wrapped up? A gift is best enjoyed when it is unwrapped, opened wide, and lived out fully- even in the midst of the mess.
May we live 2025 like it’s a gift waiting to be unwrapped, explored, and put to good use. I’m not here to tell you how to set resolutions- I am not your “New Year, New You” champion. I don’t think we need to strive to reinvent ourselves or “become our BEST selves,” simply because the calendar flips over. I prefer intentions over resolutions, anyhow. Small, intentional choices can hold big impact when they become a part of your everyday perspective.
Actually use the “fancy dishes” that sit on the shelf collecting dust…like, put real food on them and eat off of them “just because.” Listen to that “crazy” idea that pops up in your mind…you know the one you keep pushing away…and go for it, even if you don’t have it all figured out yet. Have that conversation with someone who holds a different perspective than you…and actually listen…you just might learn something. Pay attention to your own curiosity, and see where it may lead.
There’s truly no gift like the present… because “someday” is today.
Happy New Year!
Leigh
It was good watching you enjoy some good decisions in 2024. It was good watching you be more spontaneous. I like your jeep. I envy your trip to NYC.
I wish an even better 2025 for you and your family.
I didn’t have a particularly good 2024. I’m especially
struggling with not being able to drive. I’d appreciate your prayers for my 2025.
Love you DaughterLaw!
Intentions over resolutions....LOVE this! Happy New Year, Leigh!