26 is going to be a year of change! With one “quarter century” behind me, it’s time to take some leaps of faith. There are many ways I will change but I want to look at some changes that will be intentional. The first is a big one! I am leaving a job that I love, putting a hold on my entire life, and leaving to spread the Kingdom across the world! For 11 months I will be visiting 11 countries across northern Asia, western Africa, and southern Europe. I am beyond excited, nervous, and humbled by this opportunity. Today I want to talk about a few ways I believe 26 will change me.
Humility!
I put humility first because it is something that has already begun. Self-fundraising is one of the most humbling processes I have been a part of. I am not one to naturally post on social media, ask for help, or really talk to anyone (except at work and a few close friends). So the conversations I have to have during this process is very humbling.
Asking friends and family to support you is hard enough. But worse is when someone who expresses interest doesn’t follow through, so you have to have another conversation like, “Hey, so you mentioned you would be interested in supporting me…” and sometimes you have that conversation more than once with the same people.
If I were to have the mindset that it was all for me, I would never have these conversations. I have to have the humility to know that the fundraising is to better the Kingdom of God and not for me. I’m sure there will be plenty of other opportunities to grow in humility while working with so many different people and cultures.
Self Control!
The next big area of change in my life will be growing in Self Control. I had the humbling realization recently that my All-Star metabolism is slowing down! This is the day that I have dread coming. I can no longer eat what I want, when I want, and how much I want. I will actually have to show some Self Control by eating better.
Not only that but I am working on Self Control to help prepare me for World Race. I am doing things like creating a regular work out routine, cutting down on screen time, creating a diet similar to when ill be gone, and becoming proficient at using some of the equipment I will be taking with me. This could include; packing, hiking with, and unpacking my pack, using my tent and learning the fastest way to set up and break down alone, or just going camping so I can use most if not all my equipment.
The final way I am working on Self Control is through this. I will have to blog while on my trip so I am taking time now to create the habit and work on my skills.
Preparation!
The final area of change that I want to see this year is in how I prepare. In the past, I have been one to do minimal preparation and “wing it”. However, in the recent past I have been working on this and this year it is one of the things I want to lean into!
There are so many new things I will be trying and doing this year that, I believe, the best way to get the most out of every experience is by preparing well. When you prepare well it allows you to enjoy your experience better because instead of coming up with a plan as you go you can make simple changes as needed. Even if everything goes wrong and you can’t follow your plan, having one allows you to have clarity on what you wanted to accomplish and the ways you thought would be best, with this knowledge creating a new plan or improvising becomes easier.
It is also thought that each person has a limited amount of decision-making ability each day. Therefore, if you prepare well you can avoid making some decisions the day of and allow yourself to make better decisions by preparing ahead of time.
26 is going to be a year of change! I can’t wait to see how much I have grown in each of these areas and in all the ways that are yet to been known.
