This week the topic for the Five Minute Friday link-up post is Reflect. What is a link-up? Essentially a link-up is when you join other bloggers and write on a similar topic. You share your blog posts with one another and begin conversations via a host site. You can head over to Kate Motaung’s page to check out other entries from inspired bloggers. Here’s my five minutes of uninterrupted, unedited writing on this week’s topic:
Back in March I published a post entitled, Stop Thinking, where I expressed the importance of periodically reflecting on life and the direction you are headed. With those same principles in mind I am going to challenge you to take some time this week and truly reflect on where you are and how well you have met certain goals set for yourself.
I know for me it can be difficult to find time to reflect, but it is essential to becoming better in every area of life. Reflection can also help us to re-prioritize a life that may be unbalanced. And since my blog is all about my balancing act (or lack thereof) I think it is wise to spend some time today in reflection of who I am. Thanks, Kate, for providing me motivation to slow down and reflect. I am going to be vulnerable and honest as I reflect on my faith, family, friendships, and writing progress.
Faith– When it comes to my faith lately I’ve been letting things get in the way of my time with God. I need that time like I need air, and so it is evident when I’m not taking time every day to pray and read my Bible. I never neglect that time intentionally, but I’m guilty of sometimes putting it off til right before I go to bed and then falling asleep before I get a chance to dig in. It’s time for me to take back my time with God and pick up my Bible and declare that I WILL spend time in the Word EVERYDAY! (Even if that means sacrificing a few minutes of sleep) I’m looking for a good Bible Study and a female companion to help hold me accountable to seeing it through daily.
Family– Things are going well with the family. Lately, we’ve been re-prioritizing and taking inventory of the things we have committed to by examining the motives in making those commitments. Every day I look forward to going home and spending time with my family. Arianna is at such a fun age where she has become a human sponge. She is growing and changing at such a rapid pace that I know some big decisions are coming up in the future. Pre-school is on the horizon and in order to make that work in our schedule some things will need to change. We are taking time now to pray and seek wisdom in several areas as we continue to grow and mature as a family.
Friends-Of all the areas I’m reflecting on I feel like the friendship realm of my life is where I’m lacking the most. It’s been hard to spend time with friends like I should with the distractions of the holidays and with being so busy at home. I love my friends dearly, and I hope to have time to reconnect with many of my friends over Christmas break.
Writing-As far as writing goes I’ve found myself in a bit of a funk. Things are going decently with my novel writing (only about four chapters left to go!!!), but I’m finding it hard to find time to write regularly each day. I’m in need of a jump start in the creative writing business. Oftentimes, I find that reading a good, motivational book helps out with that lack of creativity so I’m on the hunt for a good book. Please let me know if you have any recommendations.
The benefit of reflection is that it helps us to set solid goals for the future. Solid goals are those that hold you accountable to a timeline for achieving said goals. Based on these reflections I’ve set the following goals for myself:
- Find a Bible Study and a female companion to study with by the end of the year.
- Make a decision about pre-school for Arianna and send in applications the first week of January if the decision is to send her.
- Schedule a time to get together with friends before the new year.
- Start reading a motivational book about writing by January 1.
The Ameri Brit Mom 
Hi friend! Stopping over from FMF.
Great post . . . I think I dread reflecting over these areas because I already know they get out of balance and once I sit down and think about them I’m obligated to do something about it! But of course once I do life is so much better.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful words with all of us today!
Brandi (@Fitzysmom)
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one possible help for bible study is doing it with a group in a local church. there are often quite a few options whether it is one you attend or not. the way many churches do it is they will offer a nursery for moms free and have a large group of women that will break down to smaller groups for the study. that way you get to know other women with young children, study the bible in a smaller group and have some accountability. the key is finding the type study you want. some are more structured than others. ask around in your area to find out what is available there, you can check with churches too if one isn’t offered at your local church.
over the years, i have found this very helpful to me for a variety of reasons. great post:)
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Great goals. I have found myself in on-line Bible study for the last 4 years since I retired. It works well for me and is the first time in my life I am in the Word everyday. I do mine through Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies. Friend time is something I love and I’m trying to find more time for meeting them for lunch or coffee. I’ve even wanted to start a morning coffee once a month with neighbors just to visit.
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