As 2017 has come and gone, looking back on your year, I encourage you not to focus on the resolutions you didn't meet or the things you didn't do, but have a perspective of "how did I grow?" "what did I learn?" or "how did I change?"

For me, 2017 was a year of pure mental growth. I have a tendency to never feel at peace wherever I am living. This is partly because I have a desire to travel, and partly because I never trust that where I'm at is where I'm supposed to be. Well, since January 1st of 2017, I have been in the SAME location doing the SAME jobs and attending the SAME school. A whole 365 days of not moving or changing any situation is really big for me.

However, since January 1st, I have also seen myself grow mentally and maturely in ways I never thought I could grow. God has shown me to have peace where He has placed be to "Be Still" (Jeremiah 29:11). If I look at my year on the definitive things I said I would do, then you could say I have failed, but failure doesn't define you; it teaches and grows you. I didn't honestly expect any of the things that have happened to me this year to happen in my head I saw 2017 differently than it had played out but I'm not bitter or regretful I am thankful. I do not know what 2018 holds for me and I'm not worried about it.

I do have desires to move out and experience the world, but I know God will allow that in His timing and with His planning. But for now, I'm going into 2018 with a new mindset that I didn't have in the beginning of 2017. I'm starting off my year trusting what the Lord as in store for me and not being afraid of the unknown or uneasy. I do believe in making goals (the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result)not resolutions (a firm decision to do or not to do something) for the year because it helps me stay on track and move forward.

As for my goals this year, they will look different than they have in the past.

1. Live each day fully in confidence with what He has laid before me.

2. Focus on being patient and present, unafraid of the next chapter.

3. Ultimately; be still, Let go and Let God.

I am honestly more excited to see how God can grow me even more in 2018!