It's that month again and the year is slowly but surely grinding to a halt. Like all companies do, at least the sane entities, I am doing a personal review and book balancing for my life over the past twelve months. I almost feel I did not have the said twelve months! In general terms, I have had an awesome year and I am pleased to announce the favourable results. Not all targets were met but I am happy with myself, or what did you expect?To be specific, I am concerned with these areas of my life;
1. Spiritual: At the beginning of the year my desire was to grow in my Christian Faith by developing more commitment to the Word of God, unrelenting in the discipline of prayer and nurturing fellowship with the saints. Those three areas were my deepest desire. Although it is very difficult to measure spiritual success, I would not shy away from documenting my struggles in all the portfolios. One of the most admirable traits I have always loved to see in self is consistency. Call it steadfastness by another name or being faithful about something whether conditions are favorable or not. Being poor in this trait, has led me to experience this insufficiency! I am also conscious of what the good word says about His grace being sufficient in our weaknesses, yet still I ask myself the questions, what if I studied the Word of God more, what if I prayed more? The answer is certain, my life would be far different from what it is now! I am pleased to have had the opportunity to serve others in my church in the discipleship ministry and most shocking to me, in ushering.
2. Social: My goal was simply to be a better friend to my family first, my friends and colleagues. Reflecting back I am very grateful to God for the bond I enjoy with my family and the few loyal friends I have. There were many tests along the way and I cannot boast I emerged the winner but most appreciative that they revealed I am not perfect and no body is. I also realized that some friends were not meant to stay in my life, and wisdom demands you let go or you will only strain your emotional faculty. I am so proud of my friends who got married during the year and gave me the honor to be in the line up. Some time during the year I chose to take a sabbatical leave from our friends from Venus. It is now almost six months and looking back, that was the best decision I made. Sabbatical does miracles on self. It helps you realize your value as an individual. It restores focus and healing to the heart. At least I thought that this would be the year I meet that person you are willing to stay with through the changing seasons of life. I score a zero on this one, and none but the brave deserve the fair.
3. Career: I got my first year practicing as an engineer. This was much fulfilling considering my previous engagement in auditing of financial accounts and playing around with numbers on an excel spreadsheet. I am more confident doing my job and no need of supervision at all. Although the environment is not the ideal or a fulfillment of the dream I have always had, hope has not died within me that better days are still ahead. I had intentions of beginning my Masters classes to build capacity for more senior management roles but felt torn between further education or just brilliant execution of the knowledge I have since I do not want to be employed all my life.
4. Financial: I also had a goal to ensure stewardship of all monetary value in my care. I have no regerets venturing in the NSE. My plan was to grow my portfolio by 20%. I hit 15% which is ok as judge Ian would say. I also desired to begin in the real estate and I thank God I made my baby step this year. In my longterm goals of having a much fulfilled life, I hoped to give more than I was in prior years. I am not yet there but this year I had positive outcomes. This is the truth; it is more blessed to give than to receive!
"It is a time to reflect on where we have been and where we're going next. Our journey is not random. You can influence that journey and this is a good time to do it." - Frank Farley, Psychologist, Temple University.
"Aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, so that you may command the respect of outsiders, and be dependent on nobody." - Apostle Paul
Happy Holidays Everyone!
