Wednesday, December 27, 2017

What's next?

The gauntlet of Christmas festivities, has been diligently run, and ready or not, here comes 2018. There are big changes ahead for us. Not only is our youngest, going to be starting Prep (school) next year, but David just started a new career too.

He received the news, as we were heavily in the midsts of Christmas preparations. Then on the day he signed contracts, we suddenly learned Christmas day, was off the table. He was rostered to work instead.


 Making flat land, for temporary gazebo


Timing...where were you? Because gazebo's had already been purchased, retaining walls, built - relatives planned to drive over an hour, to eat lunch in the new outdoors, entertaining area. Were we supposed to consider, canceling Christmas? Fortunately, David wasn't expected to work Christmas eve, so that became our new Christmas day. Close enough.

There is more to share about his new position, and even about Christmas, but I'll save those for future posts. This one is about the anticipation of a new year, and how we're planning to spend it.


 December 25, closed with a spectacular double rainbow


Rather than make new year's resolutions though, I'm choosing to adopt a word for the year, instead. "Sacrifice", is going to be my word. Because a bunch of things conspired at the end of 2017, to make me focus on it. I'm not planning to make specific sacrifices, nor any challenges for myself. It's simply a contrast, to the reward-based psychology, prevalent in our culture.

I want to practice more identification with "sacrifice", as a possible, positive influence in my life. It seems to be a word associated exclusively with martyrs, or even a form of punishment through self-deprivation. Basically it seems like a foreign concept, assigned to either greatness or unworthiness. My natural curiosity, wants to explore all the layers in between, to see it's full potential. 

What will this examination process, lead to? I don't know. But I look forward to contemplating the perception of sacrifice, in 2018. 


11 comments:

  1. "Sacrifice", interesting. I had a few things happen that saw many sad tears shed and many 'not so nice' thoughts chasing around in my head. I am going to focus on 'Positivity'. I want to look at situations, even the one I went through, and look for the positive. I started this today and already the nastiness has lessened its impact on my soul.

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    1. Sorry to hear of your hard times, Jane. They're not pleasant when they happen. It's interesting how our different challenges, brought forth different words though. My particular convergence of events, required me to make sacrifices and find the positive side of that. I didn't like how making those sacrifices initially, seemed to come with a negative association. Hence, the idea to contemplate it more deeply, to understand it better. I hope those positive contemplations, continue to lighten the load for you, Jane. :)

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  2. What a spectacular rainbow gift for the end of Christmas Day. Beautiful! It will be interesting to see where your exploration of "sacrifice" leads, what that means for you on a personal level but also more broadly. Meg

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    1. The rainbow was a remarkable, and delightful surprise. A hello from the heavens, we simply couldn't miss! And I'm glad we didn't. I hope your new years is safe and enjoyable.

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  3. Hi there Chris,

    I look forward to learning more about "sacrifice" and what it means for you in 2018! I hope it is a great year for you and your family.

    I love the rainbow picture...I found myself running for my camera the other day when one appeared here. I couldn't get far enough away to capture it fully, but it was so beautiful, I could almost touch it :)

    xTania

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    1. I can relate to running for cameras, when it comes to wildlife. Luckily, rainbows don't tend to get spooked and depart when they're spotted. I imagine because you're on such flat land, the rainbows, must be incredibly expansive. Being on hills for us though, the arches of rainbows are easier to fit the camera lens. I expect the light reflecting off the land, is what shapes the arch of the rainbow. Just a theory though. ;)

      I hope all my readers, find a rewarding year ahead, with their families. Thanks for the well-wishes for ours. :)

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  4. Chris, after this dreadful year I think 'survive' should be what I should concentrate on next year. LOL! Only joking though. I haven't thought through what I hope to achieve next year. I don't make New Year resolutions as such either. Thankfully we had a calm day today after the storms yesterday which were very scary for a lot of people on the Darling Downs.

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    1. Those challenging years are great ones to put behind you. Every new year, promises a chance of renewal. So I hope your renewal in 2018, is one filled with curiosity and awe. Those are great years to experience. Learning new things and being surprised by them.

      Remarkably, the storms skipped around us. I saw the threatening grey clouds on the horizon, heading in the direction of Toowoomba - where you are. But all we received was a bit of rain. Which was nice for the garden. I hope the storms didn't do too much damage to yours.

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  5. I don't make New Year resolutions either, but I'll be interested in your views on 'sacrifice'. Best wishes for the New year to you and your family.

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    1. Thanks Bev, I hope your new year is filled with all the things you want to pursue. Which is probably going to be in the garden. You do so much great work there. :)

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  6. I am very keen to hear more about the sacrifice thing. It piqued my interest.

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