Things I Learned in 2023
What a year! I’ve learned so much, had a lot of fun, and loved like never before, but I am left a little exhausted and a little depleted. Can you relate? Today, I’m taking a day to reflect and just be — and to share my New Year’s reflections on 2023 with you.
A New Year and 365 New Days of Surprises
Life with seven ambitious, innovative kids and a husband who has the energy of a teenager is busier than ever. I do love that about our family, but as Forrest Gump says, “You never know what you’re going to get.”
Because no two days look alike for me – EVER – I’ve attempted to order my life in a way that allows for interruptions. I’ve learned that what “interrupts” my schedule may be the very thing I was meant to do. Oftentimes, the interruptions turn out to be the most important things.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I still swear by my daily planner. A plan helps you make time for your big dreams and make them a reality. But sometimes, life happens outside the plan. Just because I didn’t get my long list of to-do’s done doesn’t mean my day was unproductive.
The Most Important Thing: Investing in Relationships
Some of the most important things I’ve done and experienced during 2023 have been things I can’t quantify:
- going out on dates with my husband
- talking to the kids about their schedules
- enjoying my mom, dad, and friends
- helping with my son’s wedding plans
- enjoying a new grandbaby
- helping lead music at church
- taking a trip with my daughter all the way to Germany
- taking a few day trips with my son and his new wife
- and so much more!
I’ve noticed all of these important things have one big thing in common: they are about investing in relationships. They may be hard to measure, but these things will probably result in greater return than anything else I could have spent time on.
The Lord has blessed my business this year too, for which I am grateful. The Sporting Chef TV show has been a blast, and I have a HUGE, fun announcement coming soon! Hint: after more than a year of work — and moments of thinking “will it ever be done?” — one of my big dreams is about to become a reality. I can’t hardly wait to share with you.
I can’t thank you enough for being part of my journey. I look forward to creating new and fun content that I hope will give you energy and inspiration to be the best version of you possible. I appreciate all of you more than you will ever know. Thank you for supporting me.
Not everything has been picture perfect this year, as I am sure it hasn’t been in your world, either. I always say, there’s good with the bad and bad with good. I accept all of it because of this one thing: God is Good. That has been my mantra everyday of 2023. I know. It seems so basic, but this simple statement is essential to a life of faith.
Signing off from 2023 and looking forward to 2024, I know I am in good hands and can’t wait to live the life I am purposed to live. Hope you have a Happy New Year! And don’t forget to cook up some black-eyed peas. I don’t know if they really bring good luck, but they sure are delicious.
Here is my full New Year’s Day traditional menu.
