Evaluating my 2021 Focus Word
My end-of-year review evaluating how I did on my chosen 2021 focus word.
If you remember the focus word I chose to guide me in 2021 was FAITH. You can read my original post on it HERE.
I chose this word as I thought it would be fitting to focus on strengthening my spiritual faith and my trust and confidence for a brighter future, especially in my professional life given what was lost the year prior. My rationale was Who couldn't use a bit more FAITH coming out of 2020 and its Covid nightmare, right?
So how did I do?
Well, let's just say the year was kind of "meh."
My son made his First Reconciliation
It was a weird year for schooling and extra-curricular activities and that included CCD classes at our church. We had to do homeschool lessons and only had a few virtual workshops but despite that my son successfully received the Sacrament of Penance. So proud of you, Bennett!
I made it back to church services
I was able to resume attending in-person masses at church and managed to get to Saturday vigil services twice a month all year long. It feels good to be receiving the Holy Eucharist again.
My mother passed away in the spring
Many of you already know this if you follow me on social media, but my mother lost her battle with Parkinson's Disease and had her eternal sunset on March 22, 2021, at the age of 67. Being present for her last rites, orchestrating a socially distant wake and funeral mass, and seeing her put to rest at the cemetery was beautiful, heart-wrenching, and bittersweet. My faith and relying on our Catholic rituals really pulled me through this tough time.
My son and I visited Holy Land in CT
Holy Land is a historic site on a hill overlooking the city of Waterbury. It is inspired by passages from the Bible and consists of a chapel, stations of the cross, and replicas of catacombs and villages. Its crowning jewel is a 56-ft high cross that lights up for holidays and special occasions. It was such a peaceful and grounding experience walking through with my son.
I listened to over a dozen faith-inspired Ted Talks
Each month I decided to tune into a faith/spirituality-based Ted Talk. These included, The Power of Mindfulness, Practical Faith, Letting Go of God, and We Can Be Buddhas among others. They provided great nuggets of information, helpful takeaways, and gave me a new perspective on things.
I remained faithful in my business offerings
I put on 4 presentations, kept up with twice a month blog posts, consistently posted on Instagram including a new Survey Sunday feature, issued a monthly newsletter, and worked with 8 brand new clients, in addition to all my regulars. But I, of course, had hoped to have a dozen speaking gigs and 21 brand new clients for 2021, but with Covid still a hindrance and my slow spring season (time off for my mother's passing), my business didn't bounce back to pre-Covid times as I had hoped. I will continue to keep the faith!
I picked up another day at my agency job
It's funny how a Higher Power helps keep things in balance. Though I just mentioned how my organizing business has been slower than I had hoped, my agency job has been busier than I could have imagined. With a grant coming through our Department, they were able to fund additional hours for me. Faith works in mysterious ways, does it not?!
I met with a psychic medium
After my mother's passing, I decided to get a channeled reading in October as that's her birth month. It was a lovely experience and my mother came through in the session. It gave me faith and reassurance that there's something to look forward to on the other side and that we will be reunited again.
I started slacklining
I've made mention of this new hobby before on my social media. It's like tightrope walking, but whereas a tightrope is taut, a slackline is loose. I actually have a line strung up in my backyard. So how does this relate to faith you might ask? Well, I've found that when I'm walking the line I get into a mindfulness state because if I start to think about ALL THE THINGS I inevitably fall; yet when I let go, I stay balanced. #letgoandletGOD
I joined a Bible study group
My church has been offering this Walking with Purpose Bible study for women for a year or two. The group has been on my radar for a while, but this year I took the plunge and signed up. I meet virtually with 7 other women and it's a lovely gathering that I look forward to each week. We end every session with prayer intentions and it's a beautiful way to pray for others and be prayed for in return. I know I can use all the prayers I can get!
I got in the habit of reading oracle cards
A few years ago I purchased a deck of oracle cards based on a recommendation from a friend and therapist colleague of mine. These cards act as a tool to provide guidance and perspective and they're a nice way to attune to your divine purpose and spiritual health. It's a simple act of shuffling a deck with a question or query in mind, you select a few cards, look in the provided guidebook, and then sum up the message. This year I made a Sunday morning ritual of reading them to help guide my intention for the week.
So there you have it - my faith-filled year and what it entailed.
How did you do on your 2021 focus word?
Stay tuned for next month when I share my word for 2022...
Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay