Today is a day for looking back–and looking forward, here in Linda-world, at least.
I accomplished two things in 2012 that really please me–1) I listened to the entire Bible, day by day, at DailyAudioBible.com. And I’m eager to start all over again tomorrow. 🙂 2) I completed an art journal (I use the word ‘completed’ loosely, because art journals are never really finished), and I can see real progress from when I began the enterprise to now. I’ve decided to retire this journal now and move on–I’m doing single pages on 12×12 watercolor paper, using all sorts of different paints and supplies, and so far I have four–guess you could say I started 2013 a little early. When I have enough pages, I will bind them into a single volume. I seem to be on a portrait kick, since I’m trying to learn to draw faces. Practice, practice, practice!
My goals for 2013 include, #1, Becoming closer to God, #2, Getting my health and weight under control. #3 Writing more books!!!
I’m working on #1 in the usual ways–prayer and reading devotionals, as well as other spiritual guidebooks. As I’ve mentioned, I’m very taken with the books of John Eldredge in particular–for me, they’ve been life-changing. (Not preaching here, just telling you what’s going on with me personally.) For #2–remember last year’s infamous D.I.E.T.?–I’ve changed tactics. I’m following the Food Lovers’ Plan, which is more doable and much more flexible than eating pre-packaged food. I’m only on the second day, so no big news to report, but there’s a certain joy in knowing you’ve taken a few steps in the right direction. I usually skip the introductory part of a program like this–measuring and taking before pictures and all that stuff. This time, I’m crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s. (And was it ever sobering to look at those ‘befores’, since there won’t be any ‘afters’ for a while.) This reminds me of my bulbs, out there in the flowerbeds and pots, buried deep in cold dirt and covered in a layer of December snow. Within them, though, the glorious colors and fragrances of next spring and summer are already in process, working their God-given magic, moment by moment. Hopefully, something similar is happening within my body, mind and spirit as I ‘plant’ new attitudes and beliefs, nurture them, and wait patiently (insofar as an ADD person is capable of patience) for the harvest.
Thank you for sharing the trail with me, partners.
May God bless you and yours, today and throughout the coming new year, with happiness, health and prosperity.
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
