Every year, as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, there's a collective sigh of relief worldwide—a sense of bidding farewell to the trials and tribulations of the past year. It's a moment where many echo the sentiment, "Thank God that year is over." I've been there too, eagerly awaiting the turn of the calendar, hoping for a fresh start.
But this year was different. Instead of rushing to bid adieu to the past, I discovered a better way to conclude the year—one that involves cherishing the moments that often slip away unnoticed.
It all started with a simple yet game-changing practice: capturing three highlights of each day. These highlights encompassed a spectrum of emotions and experiences—moments that were memorable, significant, humorous, inspiring, or even triumphant. Whether it was a heartfelt conversation, a hilarious mishap, a personal achievement, or a source of inspiration, each day held treasures waiting to be unearthed.
I made notes about things like:
My parents' 50th wedding anniversary
The three months that our nephew lived with us
The bees in the chimney
Publishing my first book, 'The Pastor's Prayer'
The text from a colleague that was clearly meant for their kid
A spur-of-the-moment fundraiser that raised nearly $1,300 for Home Again Furniture Bank
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, these recorded highlights became a treasure trove—a mosaic of the year's journey. They served as a testament to the richness of life, reminding me of the many reasons to be grateful.
I saw bigger trends as well. As I read through my notebooks (both digital and paper), I saw the story of our church family truly becoming 'A Church on the Move'. I saw that vision challenged, defended, and ultimately defeated. I saw my frustrations of the past year, its disappointments, and the challenges to my mental health, but I also saw the clarity I gained when I was told there was no job for me. I saw the realizations that the level of care that I had been giving to others was unsustainable, and that I could be a better priest by not working for the Church any more.
However, amidst this treasure trove I found a subtle problem. Sometimes, a brief note made at day's end left me puzzled when revisited later. A simple line like "THE SPOON IN THE GLASS" or "$12 worth of family conversation over supper" lacked context when viewed in isolation. So as I embrace 2024, I've resolved to enhance this practice by incorporating more details, writing a bit more, and perhaps even revisiting the highlights the next day to capture more vivid and specific memories.
Through this improved practice, I aim to not only collect moments but also craft stories. These stories will be shared—narratives that encapsulate the essence of each day, offering glimpses into the tapestry of experiences that make life extraordinary. I'll be sharing some of these highlights—a collection of heartfelt, humorous, inspiring, and poignant moments that have enriched my life. This new year will be the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life, and I'm looking forward to documenting it, and sharing the stories as they come.
As the year unfolds, I invite you to join me on this journey of introspection and celebration. I'd love to hear about your highlights and stories as well! Let's embrace the art of cherishing our daily highlights, weaving them into stories that reflect the meaning and purpose of our lives. Within the fabric of our everyday lives lie the threads of joy, growth, and gratitude—threads that, when woven together, create a tapestry of a life well-lived.
Here's to a year of crafting stories from moments—a year where every highlight becomes a new chapter in the grand story of life.