Planning for the New Year

I don't know about you but I love this time of the year. Usually, between Christmas and New Year's Eve, I take some time to plan. One of my Christmas presents is always a diary for the year to come. It's a present from my Granny but it is my Mum who chooses it. And they're always beautiful. I've had many Taschen diaries, with angels, flowers, photos from New York, and many other interesting things. This year I got a Rachael Hale Baby Love diary, with beautiful photos of beautiful babies (my Mum chose this one because we have a new baby in the family!). I couldn't find a photo of my new diary in the Internet and I was too lazy to take a photo of my own, so I just attached a photo of a Racahel Hale calendar to illustrate my post.

I'm absolutely aware of the fact that there is nothing magical occurring between the 31st of December and the 1st of January but for me (not just for me I know!) it is symbolic and I like to think about the year that is ending, about the good and not so good things, about what I can or cannot change. I really think that this exercise is an important one. It doesn't matter if you do it every year or if you do it at a different time of the year. The important thing is to do it. For me it is crucial because I'm always reflecting upon things, always planning, always making lists. I'm a bit obsessed with this, I know. If you ask me if I prefer tasting a good chocolate or making a list, I'll definitely choose the second option. And I love chocolate! My diary, my notebook and a pen are some of my favourite objects and I make plans and lists for everthing. But of course I don't do everything I plan. Sometimes I feel a bit disappointed with that but not always. I really have fun planning and for me, that's the best part!

I hear many people saying (especially after some big trial in their lives) that they stopped planning because things don't usually go as we plan them, and that the best thing to do is to live in the moment, like there is no tomorrow. I don't want to discuss here if this is the best way to live. I just know that it doesn't work for me. Apart from the fun I have planning and making lists, it is important to me because it keeps me focused. When I don't plan my days, for example, I feel absolutely disorientated. I don't know what to do even knowing that I have so many things to do. Nevertheless, if I have planned my day but something unexpected occurs and I cannot stick to my plans, it's ok.

There was a time when I thought that it was wrong to plan since it is God who is in control of my life and not me. But then God showed me that there is nothing wrong in doing it as long as I know that He is in control and as long as I am content whenever His ways are not my ways. And though I make plans, I always ask for God's direction before doing so and pray «let your will be done».

«In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps.»