You’re likely reflecting on your year as it comes to an end. Naturally, reflections can evoke a variety of thoughts and emotions. From the joys of all you’ve conquered to the sobering reality of your limitations. Additionally, the uncertainty of the year ahead raises anxiety, while memories of the pandemic stir grief. Furthermore, burnout, hard work done in “vain”, plus a lack of appreciation for your efforts cause frustration. It’s a jumble jungle of shoulda-woulda-couldas which conjure notions of failure that wrestle with your self-esteem. But, for the most part, evaluating the year doesn’t serve to tear you down. Instead, you look back to learn and be grateful.
Review your achievements and celebrate them all – both great and small! Consider the fears you’ve overcome by being courageous enough to try new or challenging things. Your year is made up of faith, hard work, defeats, grit, determination and working through negative thoughts, which result in a final win. Overall, you’ve made it through another year! We should celebrate our accomplishments (Galatians 6:3-5 ESV). But, of course, if the knocks from this annum have you down and out, you have the choice to “chew on the meat and spit out the bones“.
Read: Understanding your emotions
In hindsight, with a holistic view of your life, contemplate the lessons you learned this year. Remember, achievements are significant to note but so are your failures. Failure is your greatest teacher in life. Ok, second greatest to God. In contrast to your achievements, failures keep you grounded and aware that you are constantly developing. So be encouraged; failure doesn’t make you a loser.
On the contrary, it’s a healthy part of your voyage. When it comes to failure, your mindset plays an important role. Study your faults, take the lessons, and then use them to try another way.
Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. – Winston Churchill.
The constant motion of hope
As you contemplate all the triumphs and trials, continue to mindfully motion in the rhythm of constant hope. For instance, channel some energy towards positively approaching the blunders with an understanding that life gives you room for growing through trial and error. God’s grace and mercy are new every morning (Lamentations 2:22-23), and so are the possibilities of each brand-new day.
Therefore, let bygones be bygones. Accordingly, the end of the year does not mean the end of your aspirations. On the contrary, 2022 echoes the dreams of all your tomorrows.
If you’re struggling to cope with trauma you’ve experienced this year, please contact the Child Protection Hotline for free counseling.
Written by Dineo Phadimenyane
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