questions.

It's December 29th, and as I'm assuming most of you can count ... that means there are only a few days left of 2011. Where did this year go? I mean, seriously? My mind still thinks it's 2009. I'm that far behind. The older I get the more I realize how quickly time is escaping me. Minutes turn into days and weeks and before I know it, I blink and another year has gone by. I am realizing, though, that maybe that's just a part of growing up.

As I am sitting here, snuggled on the couch in my yoga pants and a blanket, I am starting to think about this year, what's been meaningful and transformative in 2011 and what's worth taking into the next year. I am asking questions, writing, wondering, and thinking through the past 365 days. I am making sense and moving forward into a new year, a new beginning. Heather showed me this post on the Young Life Leader Blog, and it got me thinking about what questions we should be asking about this year and next. I've been asking and answering some of the questions from that post, and some of my own.

Of 2011, I am asking, what are the memorable moments of this year? In what ways did I change? In what ways was I challenged? In what ways did I grow? Who did I become this year? How am I different from January 1, 2011? Am I more of my authentic self? What were the most important or influential places this year? Who were the most important or influential people this year? Why were they important?  In what ways did I surrender myself and give myself to more wholly God's purposes this year? How did I cultivate my prayer life this year? How did I spend time with God this year? In what moments did God surprise me? When did the Gospel come alive this year? When did I enter places of mystery? When did I enter into the unknown? When did I mess up? When did I do things right? What are the songs that mark this year? What words would I use to describe this year? What words would I use to describe myself this year? What would I title the year 2011? How was I moved or impacted this year?

Of 2012, I am asking, what do I hope for this year? What are the words I would like to see lived out this year? What daring, thrilling, or unknown things would I like to do this year? Who do I want to become this year? What will I do to become more of my true self? What's one change I will make to hold myself to a higher standard of living? What would I like the title of 2012 to be? What do I want to accomplish this year? Who do I want to get to know better this year? Where do I want to devote my time, energy, and finances this year? How can I live with more passion this year? How will I think out of the box this year? How will I take care of my body, mind, and spirit, this year? What risks will I take this year? How will I step out of my comfort zone this year?


More to come in the next few days on my answers to these questions, including both my reflections on 2011 and my posture toward 2012. 


What questions are you asking?