Every Faith has a timeline where the new ‘season’ or year comes to be. For instance, the Christian faith has Easter where the resurrection of the Savior is celebrated, making faith very real. No matter what faith you practice or if you practice no faith at all, there is a time of the year where reflection on how things have gone the past year and what you hope and plan for the future seems like the right thing to do.

I think we are simply built for it … wired for reflection. If you are a college kid, or a young mom or dad or newly married, that time of the year has some additional meaning to you (no matter if you attach it to your faith or not). I have been all those things and in my case I did attach my time of reflection to my faith. And today I am all grown up and have even deeper things attached to my faith and a time for reflection at this time of year.

Over the past few weeks I have been thinking about a list I have been working on for a number of years. It’s simple really … but I have found that it helps me keep things in perspective and when this time of year rolls around, it offers me a topic to reflect on. Hopefully my reflection helps me become a better husband, dad, uncle, brother, friend, co-worker, coach or teacher. But this year I have asked how it helps me listen better.

I’m only sharing this with you, and I will share my list with you in a moment, because when it comes to reflection, faith or not, purpose and self worth are keys to what brings out the best in who you are. So … again, if you are a college kid, newly married or a new mom or dad, or maybe given your current role in life all grown up doing the adult thing – what do you reflect on that brings out your best?

I’m asking you because it matters that you know the answer to that. If you have faith, it matters that you know what your God thinks of you. And if you have loved ones, they will see that you know the answers to that because it is what makes your face shine and your smile light up a room.

Years ago I asked myself what my faith has taught me that anyone could benefit from regardless if they and I shared the same faith. I started a list of just generally good and cool things my faith has taught me – and unless I told you where I learned it, you wouldn’t know it came from the Bible. Like I said, it’s a simple list … Here are few nuggets from the list:

Whatsoever I find to do … do it with all my might.

I tried my best to teach this to my kids: to focus on whatever they were doing … with 100% focus. no distraction. I try and do this myself today, which is hard given the MANY distractions in life including phones and the computer. But I apply this thinking as often as I can to my work today serving those I support or coach.

That one was from the book of Ecclesiastes. The next one is from the book of Matthew:

Freely you have received, freely give.

This is just common goodness, and I try to share, give and help where and when I can – it’s good in every way for anyone. But I find this one difficult and when I reflect, there were plenty of times during the year I missed the boat.

There are two more I will share … the first from Psalms and the second from Proverbs. I really enjoy both of those books and as I consider what they have meant to me over time – it’s changed as my life changed from college kid to adult now with adult children. At any rate … here they are for you:

Seek Peace and Pursue it.

and

Who refreshes others will be refreshed.

That’s not all of them from my list … but some of the easy ones for me to consider (not always do) but certainly think about and try to build into my life.

So the title of this blog today is just my way of saying that as we prepare for something big in our life (faith related or not), we do things that bring out our best in preparation. Getting ready for the big thing is one thing. Getting ready to actually prepare yourself for it – and do it – takes some settling down … and focus.

• If you are getting ready to celebrate Easter and you have Lent on the Horizon with Ash Wednesday – remember whose you are as you take time to reflect. Happy easter!
• If you are getting ready for all the tests in front of you to finish the year as the best student you can be studying what you love – it is a big time of year for you, find the time to settle yourself and focus because you are worth it. Good Luck – Finish strong!
• If you are a new mom or dad or spouse – take the time to find a way to reflect on the new Love in your life – it’s worth it and will be for the rest of your life. Enjoy!

Preparing is good … ~Dom

… I made the the wood decoration out of reclaimed wood from an oak wood bench my wife and I have had since our first house. I planed the wood and used black ink for the design. It’s about 14 inches square. I actually made a set of 4 … this is just one of the 4 (each with a different design)