End of the year reflections: always ask why?

Morning All,
I hope you are not being a grinch this year and have embraced the Christmas spirit. The end of the year draws near and a new year approaches. Isn’t it good to use this time to reflect and congratulate ourselves on areas (no matter how small), we have moved forward. I am not sure what kind of year you have had but if it did not go as planned, this is the perfect time to reflect on the positive s and negatives, most importantly forgive yourself and others for anything you might be bitter about and move into the new year with a great attitude.
Last night and this morning I was thinking about the things I have achieved this year: started and maintained 2 award winning blogs, won Miss Southern Africa, completed 2 books ready for publication, recorded several songs and led a writing workshop. Sounds good doesn’t it (and that’s not even all of it). However my work has just begun because these acts have only been the foundations. As of yet no one apart from editors and the people I work with have read the books or heard the songs, I have several projects yet to lead as Miss Southern Africa and my blog is yet to fully blossom. 2011 was a year of setting strong foundations, to act on dreams I was too scared to act on before, to take the bold step to dare to dream and start creating the life I want. However now that the foundations are in place I am mapping out my success indicators. How will I know that I am doing well? Will I simply look at the number of twitter followers, facebook friends and wordpress followers I have? No I won’t.
I have decided to write up my objectives from the outset so that I do not get swayed by other people’s interpretations of success. In Matthew 3: 8 – 10 it says this “8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down.” I read these verses this morning and I was strongly reminded that unless my roots and foundations produce fruit, I am not doing anything. The ref to Abraham reminds me that titles and prestige are useless, God can just as easily create or use another (more humble person) to do what I have planned to do.
 Now what is fruit? Fruit has a life on its own, it nourishes and enriches; it produces seed and can go on to produce more fruit in the right environments. So what does all this mean? Unless my songs, writing and Miss Southern Africa title impact and change people, my efforts are pointless and in vain.  The people and lives I impact are fruit in the sense that they have their own lives that they can then use to encourage, impact and help other people. My acts are worth nothing if they do not make an impact to other peoples’ lives. If I stop adding value I am like a fruit tree that does not produce fruit and should be cut down.
I do not want to be aimlessly doing anything just for the sake of other peoples’ approval or to feel good. There are too many people in the world who can benefit from my skills and talents. It sounds so tree hugger – lover, peace and love but as humans we were created to help each other.

Food for thought isn’t it. Always ask oyurself why you are doing something.

Nissi x