New Year’s Day is very arbitrary, don’t you think?
Raise your hand if you’ve watched Good Will Hunting. You know that part, where Will’s in the bar and Skylar says maybe they can go get coffee sometime? And he says, “Sure. Or maybe we can sit around and eat caramels.” She gives him an odd look and he says, “If you think about it, eating caramels is about as arbitrary as drinking coffee.”
That’s what I think about New Year’s Day. After all, it’s just a day. Why not make resolutions on July 16th? Why do we think we can up and change our lives because the year ticks forward? Let’s all just admit it right up front. New Year’s Day is sort of weird.
With that said, I will embrace this holiday in all its weirdness.
Tamika, a writing/blogging friend of mine, wrote a post about the New Year and themes. She gave her 2010 a theme. I thought, “What a good idea!”
Zooming in on 2009:
My theme: Growth
I grew a lot. As a writer. And as a Christian.
Looking forward to 2010:
My theme: Victory
HA! Wouldn’t that be nice? It’s sort of hard to predict. I’m not sure what my theme will be. I’ll have to get back to you on that in 2011.
For now…
My 2009 Highlights
My son turned one. Learned to walk (and quickly run). Hubby and I celebrated our 5-year anniversary. I went to my first writing conference. Landed my dream agent, Rachelle Gardner. And now my 3rd book is out on submission, currently with the editorial team of a large publishing house.
My Writing Hopes for 2010:
– Revise and edit Wishing on Willows until it sparkles like Edward Cullen in the sun.
– Finish the third book in my series, Sunsets in Heaven
– Think positive and dream big (like, get a book contract!)
Life resolutions:
– Be an encourager to my husband
– Spend less time talking at God and more time listening to Him
– Be present in each moment
Random Thoughts by Katie Ganshert (in tribute to Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy):
What do we call this new decade? Come to think of it, what do we call the last decade? I was born in the eighties. Spent my childhood and teenage years in the nineties. Grew up in the…what? Ones? And what’s next? Became a very wise, responsible, mature adult in the…teens? Is that what we’ll call them? Seriously… help me out here.
Questions to Ponder: What were your 2009 highlights? If you had to pick a theme for last year, what would it be?
[…] 2009′s One Word Summary: Growth […]
[…] 2009′s One Word Summary: Growth […]
I love Victory as a theme! Congrats on landing your agent- Rachelle Gardner is quite a catch!
Good luck in 2010!
My 2009 theme? Clouds with a chance of silver lining.
Thanks for being an inspiring blogger. Your light shines through your words.
Katie: I love, love, love it that you put encouraging your husband at the top of your life resolutions list. Would you believe I am working on a chapter of my WIP today about making our spouse the top priority in our lives, how when we love them unconditionally, we mirror God? Of course you would.
2009 was a ride on the waves–without a surfboard. I had no idea what I was doing, but God got me to shore safely, holding the hand of a great agent and a ton of lovely friends like you.
2010 I named The Year of Favor. We shall see how God shines forth, to show His splendor and strength in our lives. Fasten your seat belt!
Love you,
Jen
Audience of ONE
What a great post, Katie. I loved reading about your accomplishments and your goals.
My theme for 2009 would be Seasons of Change. Our one and only headed to college, and Gwynly and I became Empty Nesters. The Fashion Queen is doing well, and I'm adjusting nicely. On the writing front, I found my niche, polished one of my inspirational historical romances, finaled in seven contests with it, and was offered representation by awesome agent Rachelle Gardner. I love the idea that you and I are now agency mates, Katie.
My goals for 2010 are to enjoy the journey, let the Lord direct my path and stay caught up on the laundry. 🙂
Just popped over from a comment you left on Rachelle Gardner's blog. Congrats on getting an agent. That is so exciting.
Love your random post. Sometimes those are the best kind.
My theme for 2009: The Year of Yes
My theme for 2010: Ummmm….I have about 25 resolutions floating around in my head. I really need to pray and ask God which ones are from Him. At that point, I hope they fit nicely into a new theme.
Blessings,
Sandy
Looking back now I believe my theme was understanding. I didn't truly understand myself but now I do.
I love this post.
(Especially the nod to Good Will Hunting, one of my all time favorite movies.)
I often find myself recreating, reinventing, reorganizing at various points throughout my year. However, I'm also a sucker for the new year's resolution. I think the difference lies in the platform. Somehow, the beginning of a new year seems a clean slate–the plate has been wiped and you can start new. Picking up in the middle of the year perhaps makes it seems I've spent six months failing somehow and have to, not only change, but also make up for it.
I guess the point is to remember that, with Christ, there can always, always be a clean start. And also to focus on the bigger picture–what you're mentioning as themes. Even the rough-and-tumble times can be part of the bigger plan.
Thanks for starting off our year with this! It's incredibly encouraging and great advice!
http://www.sarahnoelsmusings.blogspot.com
Carla – those would be awesome titles for a trilogy, don't you think!?
Ah, it is rather arbitrary isn't it? New beginnings, I'm all about that. We get one every morning, you know.
Congrats on a great year for you! It must be so amazing to see all the Lord is doing in your life!
Themes. I like themes. 2009: The Wilderness, 2010: Crossing the River, 2011: Promised Land
Happy New Year and may your dreams continue to come true!!
Katie you are a doll! Themes are fun aren't they. Kind of a way to hope with flavor. Growth is an ultimate theme for this year! Like you, I want to spend more time listening to God.
2009 highlight- deciding to write. I'm still reeling from the enormity of it all.
I loved this post. There was just something about it that touched me today. My favorite lines:
"Think positive and dream big (like, get a book contract!)" & "Spend less time talking at God and more time listening to Him"
Happy New Year and good luck with your goals. 🙂
Congratulations on a wonderful 2009! I'm sure you're on a roll and will continue making progress in 2010.
I'm grateful to the Lord for a much improved 2009. A lot of work got done on my house, manuscript number two's rough draft is done, and I made the acquaintance of some terrific bloggers.
The idea of a theme year hit home for me. 2007 and 2008 were all about God's faithfulness. 2009 – I'd have to say it was about His provision. This is one topic where I think we'll only know the true theme as we reflect on the year gone by.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
What a great post! My theme for 2009 and every year is growth. For me, growth is victory! Happy New Year! 🙂
my theme was 'tired.' I do believe.
Rest, however, is coming.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching your dreams come true this past year! It's been cool to celebrate with you.
My theme for 2009 was endurance coupled with lingering passion. Had to deal with chunks of family stuff. Wrote novels 2 and 3. Some beautiful moments with my husband and children. Learned a ton (hope I can say that about every year I have left).
Happy New Year!
~ Wendy
Yeah, this decade is going to sound weird for a long time to use!
I LOVE Good Will Hunting! What a great movie! Last night I watched Shawshank Redemption. Love that one too!
Theme for 2009: Where in the World am I supposed to go?
Theme for 2010: Oh, it's this way!
Ha! Just kidding… I'll have to think on that some. :0) Happy New Year, Katie!
You can hodgepodge your thoughts any time, Katie! I like the way you think!
Hhhhmmm…theme for last year:Desert Living
This year: Promise Land Bound!
This year is going to be GREAT…I can feel it!
And I know that with Rachelle as your agent, you will get that contract and be among the elite ranks of Published Authors everywhere!
Theme for 2009: Live Purposefully
Theme for 2010: Live Gracefully
2009 Highlights:
*Clung to God when Hubby lost his job
*Celebrated 40th birthday
*Graduated college
*Sent son off to college for his freshman year
*Hubby returned to college
*Won 2nd place in Genesis contest–writing has taken a new turn…for the better
Despite its challenges, I felt I lived purposefully in 2009. I achieved several goals. This morning I prayed that God would open my eyes and see others with the same grace He sees them. I want to have an open heart and open eyes for those whose grace may not be abundant. Easier said than done, but with God's strength, we can do anything. 🙂
Oh, this is such a good idea! I'm all about making goals vs. resolutions (because I'm stupid lik that) but a theme sounds WONDERFUL.
Oh, but now to think of one.
At the moment, the only thing that comes to mind is "Honor." I want to focus on that this year, honoring my committment to God, my husband, my kids, my job, and my writing, therefore, use my time in an honorable way.
I think if I honor my priorities in the way God has asked me to, then HE will be the theme of my year, and wow… that's totally what I want!
I like this idea of themes. Hope you reach all your goals this year.
I've had the same ponderings about the decades. I've heard some people call it the thousands. As far as themes, my 2009 theme would probably be Awakening since that's what God did to me when He told me to write. I hope 2010 will be a similar theme to your 2009…Growth.
Good morning Katie. Boy, I'm just plain too tuckered out this morning to think! Stayed up too late last night partying–you know, like 10:30. Seriously, I love your one word themes. I will have to think on that today! Happy New Year!
Theme for last year: Roller coaster ride.
Highlights?
I got into Baylor University.
I was able to finally visit my Grandparents in Colorado, a very overdue visit.
I made a very dear friend, who's helped me in many ways this year. One being her reminding me that God is pretty good at his job, if I let him do it.
I think they'll say the years out like they do for the 1905 and 1912 years.
I do think I'm going to refuse to physically say 'twenty ten' as long as possible. I don't know why, but it bugs me no one will say 'two thousand and ten' out.
Rambling in your comments section…
I need to start drinking coffee.
Good morning!