The Norwegian maple trees outside my window started to turn orange. The crisp air and cold temperature remind me to put on my thicker leggings and jacket when I go out. It’s already mid-October. 

There are only two and a half months left in 2020. What a strange year it has been for all of us! 

Dear reader, how are you doing? Are you holding up strong or tired and weary?

For my husband and me, 2020 hasn’t been all bad. In many ways, it has pushed us to grow and change for the better.

One thing 2020 has taught me is that it’s not realistic to put all our trust in any outward system, whether it’s a company or a government. When a crisis like Covid-19 hit, all we are left with is our immediate family. For some, just themselves. We have to reach outside the system and even ourselves for help. For us, we turn to God. 

Adaptability to changes, creativity, and innovation are crucial for a time like this. Our faith in Christ enables us to move forward and push beyond the limits of fear. 

2020 is the first year for me to post weekly on my blog and intentionally on Instagram. I have connected with some like-minded writer friends via zoom and social media more than ever before. For the first time, a writer friend Sarah featured me on her website. She is an excellent writer, from whom I learned so much. I’ve made much progress in honing the craft of writing. Though I’m still not where I want to be yet, I’m far from where I used to be. For that, I call it a win and success. 

What about you, my friend? What worked for you this year and what didn’t? What have you learned during this year so far? In what areas of life have you made progress? Answering these reflective questions will help you to find your wins to celebrate! 

The holiday season is just around the corner. Depending on where you live and your family tradition, the coming season may be busy for you. However, I hope you will still carve out some time to plan and prepare for the next year. 

I’ve found some helpful tools from Michele Hyatt‘s newsletter for us to plan 2021. I took the idea he shared and phrased them into some questions for you to answer. I will be going through these questions as a guide for mapping the coming year and thinking big. I encourage you to do the same. 

1. What is your dream/ goal? 
2. Write down your goal
3. Why is this goal important to you?
4. What would have to be true for your dream to become a reality? 
5. What are the daily actions you can take to reach the goal? 
6. When do you want to reach your goal? 

No matter where you are, my friend, I pray that you will finish strong in 2020 and find the vision for 2021. 

Remember to think big! You can always use what you have in your hands to create beautiful and valuable things for others, for you are the workmanship of God, made to create. I’m here to cheer you on! 

Image via Pexels by Olya and Tirachard