Every year, I try to make a Goals and Dreams poster just to force myself to articulate tangible things that I want and hope to work towards over the next twelve months.  It seriously helps me.

I first pray about a “theme” that God would want to give me for the new year – sort of a defining and encapsulating big picture that will regularly be relevant in interesting and transcendent ways.  Then I look for a key, representative bible verse that I can bring to mind during my year to assist me in staying focused, staying hopeful, and staying close to Him – the author of everything good and perfect.  Then, I make a list of my desires, and check to make sure they are honorable and not selfish or could somehow negatively affect someone else and their goals and dreams.  Finally, I search online for images that portray the various things I am shooting for, and attempt to build a somewhat good-looking collage to capture it all.

I thought it might be encouraging to others to share my 2013 poster on my blog. My theme this year is “The Year of Change” because I just believe that a lot of things are going to change.  Significantly.  Perhaps drastically.  And I know that many people say that when we turn the calendar, but I really, really believe it.  Like, I feel it deep in my bones.  It’s just time, and I don’t often have a ton of clarity about things, but this seems pretty clear to me.

My key verse is:

Isaiah 43:19 – “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert, and streams in the wasteland.”

I feel like God has been working a lot in the background, sight unseen.  I kind of wish He were a lot more visible in what He is doing on my behalf, because I get frustrated, and impatient, and struggle sometimes.  Like you too, perhaps.  But yeah, I believe He does work all things for good for those who believe (Romans 8:28), and I know that the essence of faith is being certain of what we do not see.

These are the things that are important to me right now, in 2013.  These are the things that I want, and are written on my heart, and make me come alive, and help me to stay close to my truest, best self.  They matter.  They inspire me.  They are beautiful squares in the patchwork quilt of life He is creating, and they will help represent who I want to be, and at the end of my life – who I wanted to be.

They are beautiful squares in the patchwork quilt of life He is creating, and they will help represent who I want to be, and at the end of my life – who I wanted to be.

Many of the images are self-explanatory, but I still want to explain their relevance.  Starting in the top left, we have a picture of a man cliff-jumping!  I’ve done this in Colorado, and it symbolizes how I need to be ready and willing to dive into the new things He is going to do.  It’ll be scary, and I am sure I will be freaked out, and change is rarely easy.  But I know I need to have this mentality.

I really want to put on an acoustic coffeehouse of sorts this year.  I’ve been taking guitar for four straight years now, and setting something up formally – like an event – will help me to practice hard, refine my skills, and get to a point where I can skillfully play 12-15 songs for others.

I want to go to India again this year, ideally on missions.  My family is from India.  My heart is for the people and poverty and injustice of India.  So very much.  We have been making a difference there, and I want to do more.

The next picture is of a valley in Aspen, Colorado.  I adore Colorado.

I want to swim more this year.  To get faster times in sprint triathlons, and because it’s great fitness.

Starting from the left again, I want to go back to Africa.  I love Africa.  I love the people and the culture and want to make a greater difference there.

I want to blog more.  Obviously :)

I want to continue serving the K-5th graders at church.  I love them, and I am excited every Sunday to see them and hang out with them and help teach them.

I believe God is a God who makes all things new.

I want to continue yoga and increase my flexibility and balance.

I want to be *constantly* grateful for various things every single day, and constantly have an attitude of heart that is humble and surrendered and just plain thankful for how much He does for me and my loved ones, and all that He protects me from and keeps me defended against.

I want to be constantly grateful for various things every single day, and constantly have an attitude of heart that is humble and surrendered and just plain thankful for how much He does for me and my loved ones, and all that He protects me from and keeps me defended against.

I want to tie up any remaining loose ends in my life.

And I want to care for “the least of these” as Jesus models for us.

The center image represents how I want to tell a great story with my life powerfully impacts others, and that God is calling me to do so in partnership with Him.  For example, one day I hope my writings make a real, measurable difference in someone else’s life.  So, yeah.  I want to tell a great story, which is only possible if I live a great story – which I am committed to do :)

Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts and whether this inspires you to do the same!