Eternal Hope
As I watched the sunrise on the beach this Easter morning, the rising of the Son and the story of the empty tomb gave way to the concept of new beginnings. March 31 is the 91st day of the year and marks the end of the first quarter of 2024. It’s also the day many of my new snow-bird friends, including Ray, are heading home refreshed and ready to start anew. Some think of Easter as the beginning of spring, which spurs a fresh outlook on life—new hope.
Looking back, are you where you had hoped you would be three months ago? In my New Year’s post, One Word, I encouraged you to pick one word to focus on for the year. If you picked a word for 2024, today is the time to reflect. I’ve also mentioned setting goals in the areas of career, finance, relationships, health, and fun, as suggested by Jon Acuff. April 1st marks the day to review or renew your goals, promises to yourself and others. This day is a chance to take pride in your accomplishments and commit to staying the course, or an opportunity to start again. In March Madness terms, it’s the end of the first quarter. The score at the end of the first quarter or even the half may or may not reflect the final score. There is always hope that one team can turn it around or the other can keep the streak going.
In the Starters Day blog I posted on MLK Day, I encouraged you to either keep going or to start again. If your word was “organize,” and you planned to clean out the closets, drawers, and garage, but life has gotten in the way, it’s not too late. You can still get it done in the remaining nine months. Hoping to lose weight and it seems you’ve found a few extra pounds? Start again. If your goal in January was to read through the Bible in 2024, you should be through the first five books of the Old Testament and the first four books of the New Testament (or the equivalent). Not finished with Genesis and Mathew? You can resolve to double up on your reading, or more realistically, maybe you change the one-year goal to a two-year goal. If your aim is to run a Marathon on Thanksgiving Day, and you aren’t running a 5K yet, does that mean you quit? By no means! You can always adjust your training plan. April 1st is the day to reevaluate your goals, not quit them. Don’t quit. Never quit if it is a legitimate goal.
Entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, taught that “everything affects everything.” Successful people start by doing something, and it’s best to start the minute we read or hear about a new idea. If we wait until tomorrow or next week, the passion may no longer be there.
Jim would say one positive habit affects other aspects of our lives. Get your health in check and your relationships improve. When your relationships improve, your business grows. When your business grows, you have more money to give away. Giving makes your heart feel good. And when your heart feels good, there is no telling what you can accomplish.
So, whether you picked a focus word for the year, or set goals in five areas like Jon Acuff suggests, know that everything you do connects with everything you do. Whether you have been consistently plugging away since the first of the year or have allowed distractions to get in your way like me (i.e., pool volleyball, cornhole, and sunset chats) make today a new day. Focus on something as small as eating one apple a day, or as big as writing about riding your bike in all 50 states, but let’s stay focused together.
Everything you do matters. Won’t it be exciting to see where our consistent steps get us by day 183 and then again on New Year’s Eve, 2024? May we all have hope for the future as we reflect on our past. It’s not too late. It’s just the end of the first quarter. Let’s keep the hope going together.
I’d love to hear how things are going for you. Please email me or comment below.
March 31, 2024 @ 5:08 pm
Your words are so encouraging, Joy. Thank you!
April 1, 2024 @ 5:15 pm
Thanks, Nancy. Thanks for your encouragement.
March 31, 2024 @ 9:19 pm
In addition to writing, motivational speaker should be on your skills list…an apple a day eh? I could probably manage that but unfortunately the only fruit we have left in the house is 1/2 a …don’t ask where the limes went!!!
So happy that you came into our lives & that we were a part of your sunset chats.
Your Canadian cousin/sister-in-law
Anita
April 1, 2024 @ 4:29 pm
Thanks, Anita. I wouldn’t trade our sunset chats for anything. Can’t thank you enough for including me in your family. Hope to get up there to see you soon. Bet you have great sunrises in Canada, eh?
Thanks for your support!
Safe travels to my Canadian Cousin and my other brother, Tom. I will miss you when you’re gone.
April 1, 2024 @ 1:11 am
Thanks for the check-in / reminder. That’s how you start. Just one thing.
April 1, 2024 @ 4:30 pm
That’s right. As the song goes… “Just put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be walking out the door.”
April 1, 2024 @ 6:48 am
Thank you Joy! You always inspire me!
April 1, 2024 @ 4:31 pm
Thanks, Annemarie. You inspire ME!
April 9, 2024 @ 7:06 am
Well, I have made some progress! Seems like it’s typically meeting goals/requirements that should’ve been completed months ago but were not because of living in the moment … But those special moments, like sunset chats, often can’t be scheduled, unless one’s goals are to enjoy the moments as they come and relish relationships while they are available.
I never thought I had a bucket list, but recently got to see a Trout Lily, actually hundreds of them(!), blooming along a local trail. When I heard about this trail from a new friend, it reminded me of a favorite childhood book of wildflowers and my longing to see the Trout Lily and Jack in the Pulpet growing in the wild. I have truly been thrilled this spring! More to come! My friends know where to find Lady Slippers too! I hope it’s not too late for Dutchmen’s Breeches, but if so, I can look forward to next spring! And the trails are filled with the beauty of greens of all hues and flowers of all colors in amazing tiny detail! God is awesome in His creation!
Don’t forget to come back home, Joy!!
April 9, 2024 @ 1:55 pm
Wow, Julia! Such thoughtful words. You are right. We certainly can’t schedule those special moments. They aren’t like doctors appointments. Glad you are enjoying the beauty of spring.
I will certainly come home, but I may have to come back here to the Keys again. There is something special about the change of seasons, but there is also something to be said for eternal summer.
April 9, 2024 @ 9:49 am
Good morning, Joy! Retirement is a blessing, but it can be so different that I don’t have a focus. Each day is a new day, and sometimes I don’t know precisely what day it is! Very different as I don’t write the day on my chalkboard anymore.
I begin each day with David Jeremiah on Turning Point at 6:30 am. It is my bible study and prayer time to begin each day. I am also routinely walking with neighbors each morning, 3 miles, in what ever the weather provides. After school bible club at Adairsville Elementary on Tuesday afternoons allows us to provide much needed sharing of the gospel to kiddos, and I get to see my AES family. I miss them.
I also volunteer at Heavenly Hand Me Downs in the book section, and I help Tim every Wednesday with cooking dinner at church before service. Other days, I go see mom in Marietta, and see grandson, Oliver, in Hiram.
Today is a blessing. It’s raining, and I am doing a much needed prayer time. I need more days like this!
I totally understand why you hopped in your camper and took off when you retired. I know you’re seeing family and experiencing places you’ve never been.
I know you’re heart feels good with traveling and writing, and I couldn’t be happier for you!
Love ya!
April 9, 2024 @ 2:05 pm
Ahhh, yes, welcome to retirement, Sherry. Not knowing what day it is, is definitely a sign. You still sound quite focused though for a retired woman. Maybe you need to come down here next year. You would love the people and the activities, but you have to watch out. Their #1 goal is FUN!
April 10, 2024 @ 8:14 pm
Joy, thanks for the uplifting reminders that we can start again to focus on reaching our goals. We don’t have to wait for the next week, next month or Jan. 1, 2025 to get back on track. We can start now with baby steps!
April 10, 2024 @ 10:40 pm
Well said, Cathy. Baby steps. Babies don’t give up just because they fall. They get right back up and start from where they left off.