10 Reflections on 2014

The conclusion of a year always brings forth reflections on the closing year for me, I tend to think along the lines of ‘what do I take from the old to the new year’. Maxabella has posed several reflection questions which I thought worth pondering upon.

1. What word do you think best summed up 2014?
Savour and nurture, as I can never say just one word;)
Ten days before the dawn of the New Year we were blessed with our baby daughter Bella, she is also our tenth child. We could be considered ‘older parents’ though we don’t really feel like we are, yet in some ways we do as we’ve learnt how to savour.  We know just how fleeting these years really are and we’ve obtained a certain sangfroid approach to life and consequently parenting.
I’ve also learnt the importance of nurturing myself.  There was a time when I wasn’t as in tune to my emotional, physical and spiritual cues. I wouldn’t have been as kind to myself, I’ve learnt that to nurture my family I first need to nurture myself.
Savour and nurture, I’m happy at this place.

2. What did you do for the first time this year?
Enrolled in an online photography course! Thanks to Chareen’s review I discovered Please Don’t Say Cheese and can only rave about my experience.  Although an eight week workshop I can take six months to complete, thank goodness I can work at my own pace as lots of life has been happening. I’m taking more photos, being conscious of implementing all I’m learning and growing as a photographer. As soon as I complete my course I’ll share more details.


3. What is one thing that happened that will have lasting consequences?
Our adult children are continually achieving new milestones in their lives, all part of becoming their own individuals.  Their relationships with us are shifting and changing, it’s different but rather exciting watching them stretch and grow, working towards achieving their full potential.


4. Was there anything you wish you’d done differently? Why? How?
Actually not really, I really nurtured myself this year, and savoured my time with our children. Whilst there are areas I’d like to grow in such as, read more as a family, have a more consistent prayer life, on the whole I’m rather proud that we survived this year so well, because it was a very, very full year, on a Richter Scale it would be a 10!


5. Do you have a favourite moment from the year? What made it special?
Being a full rich year there are so many moments to choose from, our darling girl turned 21! Our baby girl turned 1, we also celebrated other milestone birthday’s with our girls turning ten and thirteen. Our son graduated from his studies with us and prepares to ‘fly the nest’. My brother was married, our nephew was married, nieces became engaged. Our bathrooms & laundry became a reality! Our ballerina danced in her first Dance Concert.  One moment that is extra special was at my brother’s Wedding when Bass (3) cleared the dance floor, all the guests stood in a circle cheering him on as he danced up a storm, he can dance!


6. What lessons has 2014 taught you about yourself? About others?
That I enjoy the company of my family and my own company. That at this season of my life with the needs of so many over such a wide age spread to meet, it’s important I nurture myself to be able to be the wife and mother my family deserves. I can no longer be ‘all things to all people’, I only have ‘so much in the tank’.


7. How will the lessons from this past year change the way you approach the new year?
I’m going to continue savouring, I’m going to continue nurturing and I’m going to continue to be at Peace with that.


8. What do you most want to do in 2015?
I’d like to be filled with Joy, for Joy to bubble up and overflow into all areas of my life.  Whilst nurturing and savouring has been so important I’d like to ‘take it up a notch’ and move a little from survival mode to a joyfilled life. Rediscovering the fun parts of my mothering that I had energy for in my 20s and early 30s.


9. What do you most want to change about yourself? The world?
Well inconsistency is my constant companion, in my dream recreation of myself I’d always be consistent with the flexibility to be spontaneous. I’m never sure if I should just accept my shortcomings or continue to strive to be better.
Change the world? No energy for that, just focusing on my little corner.

10. What one word do you hope will sum up what you hope to achieve in 2015?
Joy, yep appears that my Word for the Year has found me this time.