It's that time of year...2020 is upon us! In honor of the new year (and new decade!), I thought I'd put together a list of what 2019 taught me. Hopefully, 2020 will be just as full!
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1. Good Things Are a Long Time Coming
Anything deeply rewarding you're going to have to work hard for! Flexibility was very difficult for me, but as a dancer, you need it. But it hurt and I had to keep working consistently to see results. While you're making your list of resolutions, keep in mind that nothing great can be achieved without hard work!
2. Green Tea for the Win
Whether you love tea or prefer coffee, you can't argue with the benefits of green tea! It's the healthiest beverage on Earth, even better than water! It restores fluids and antioxidants to your body, instead of just fluids. It lowers your risk of cancer, improves brain function, and even can help you lose weight!
3. Smoothies are Spectacular
Can we just christen 2019 The Year of Smoothies already? :) Smoothies are loaded in the proteins and fibers you need to start the day and fruit's natural sugars make them pretty darn delicious! Try an Oatmeal and Berries, Fall Apple, or Pineapple Coconut concoction to help you meet your fitness goals.
4. Some Relationships Can't Be Fixed
Jesus commands us to love each other as he has loved us. We need to be kind to everyone and an example of Christ on Earth; but sometimes we need to come to terms that relationships won't always be the same. So realize that maybe your best friend isn't your best friend anymore, but that doesn't mean Jesus's amazing grace should stop there! Joy Because Grace wrote a beautiful post about abiding in love here.
5. Your Resolutions Need Grace
Anyone else get a *little* resolution crazy on New Year's Eve? It's easy to write up a list of everything you want to change in the upcoming year! And while I believe in hustle with a capital H, it's important to remember that you need grace too. Missed a workout? No problem, get on the treadmill the next day. Snapped at your little sis? Apologize and be more intentional next time.
6. Thank God for EVERY Blessing
Have you started a joy journal yet? My grammie passed the habit down to me and I love it! You write down three joys or blessings each day when you wake up or go to sleep. I like to say a prayer thanking God for what He has given me too. It really helps you stay more joyful and focused on God's grace throughout your day!
7. You Only Have One Family
Let's face it...we're with them 24/7, which makes it pretty easy to get snappy! But you only have one family and no matter how much they annoy sometimes, they still deserve your love.
8. You're Reborn...So Act Like It!
This summer, I got baptized and it's one of my best memories! Whether you have been baptized or not, God wants to revive you in his name! "And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ!" ~1 Peter 3:21
9. Feminist is NOT a Dirty Word
Our society has a lot of misconceptions about feminism. But feminist is not a dirty word when it's used in a biblical sense! My view of feminism is that men and women were created equal. We are different but meant to work together for God's glory.
10. God Doesn't Always Do What We Want Him To
Some of you have heard the story of Olive on Instagram. She stopped breathing and was pronounced dead. Her mom took to social media and started a global movement praying for Olive's resurrection. Olive was not woken up but Jesus still did amazing things through her! Believers joined together with the cry "all hail King Jesus." God didn't do what we wanted Him to do but that doesn't mean that His plan isn't right.
11. Travel is AWESOME!
This year I went to Georgia, Tennessee, and the Philippines! If globetrotting has taught me anything, it's that God has created some beautiful places (and beautiful people living all over the world!).
12. The Church is Having a Moment
When we were in the Philippines, we got the chance to attend Victory Church. I was really inspired by their mission and their disciples. The church I attended was on the top floor of a mall. It didn't have pews or fancy carpet, but people were flocking there! The worship and the messages were powerful, and so was the presence of God.
13. Books Are (Still) Amazing
You didn't really think I stopped reading in 2019, did you? I fell even more in love with the written word, if that's possible. I finished series (Finale and The Queen of Nothing), read classics (The Bell Jar), and dove into cult favorites (To All the Boys I've Loved Before). Keep up with my reading here!
14. Boba Tea Has My Heart
If you're not on the milk tea bus yet, hop on! Different flavors of tea and chewy tapioca pearls marked many days of my life this year.
15. Laughter Really is the Best Medicine
2018, my family lost our beloved doggy. But spending time with friends and family helped us realize how blessed we are! Friends are gifts and will help pick you up when you fall in front of the whole school...just after they finish cracking up.
16. Nature's Pretty Cool Too
I get a terrible reaction to bug bites that sometimes makes me want to swear off the wild altogether. But whether you're rafting, road tripping, or climbing some pretty sweet mountains, nature can be majestic. (Just as long as there are no chiggers around.)
17. Food, Y'all!
Flipping back through my joy journal, I realized that a lottt of my joys were food! Yes, we need to be eating clean foods to be healthy and energized, but PECAN PIE. Take a few moments in the new decade to enjoy your meal!
18. Sisters Stick Together
People come and go, but sisters are forever :) This year made me appreciate my sis's patience, kindness, and ability to make me pee my pants laughing even more! Take a minute to text the sibling in your life and tell them how much you appreciate them.
19. I've Got It Pretty Good
Maybe I blocked some stuff out, but 2019 is leaving me with nothing but fuzzy feelings. Cheers to a great year behind us and an even better one ahead!
What are you thankful for from 2019? Don't be shy, comment below! I read every response I get. Ciao!
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