Photo by richardefreeman.
I realize it’s not my normal posting day (Monday) but today is my 35th birthday and it’s the first week of 2010 (there’s just something soothing about even years to me) and so it seems appropriate to throw in somethin’ extra. I know. Someone stop me. 
I generally shy away from New Year’s Resolutions or Goals or anything else that resembles a list of things I must accomplish or else prove (if only to myself) that I’m either a flake or a failure. But still, planning is right, dreaming is fun, brainstorming ways to make progress is helpful and establishing positive habits promotes long-term growth. I’m definitely into that.
I just look at it differently.
I haven’t come up with a list of goals to achieve in the upcoming year. I have one goal and then I’m making a list of lots of ideas for each area of life (wife, mom, blogger, finances, health, time management, etc.) I may or may not choose to do in order to reach that single goal. Six of one or half dozen of another? Maybe to some, but for me, the latter is far easier to wrap my brain around.
My goal for 2010 is all about one thing: Legacy.
(Analogies are always risky and sometimes cheesy, but indulge me.)
Imagine a large pond into which a rock is dropped. Ripples inevitably go out from the place where the rock fell. If the water is glassy and calm, the ripples are easily seen, they spread fast and extend indefinitely. If the water is choppy and tumultuous, the ripples are hard to see, they spread slowly and are hindered.
I am the pond, Christ is the rock. The ripples are His legacy. I’m not trying to start my own legacy because I’m not here for my glory but for His; the legacy already exists because He already started it. The question is whether my character and life will help His legacy or hinder it. Am I grounded, calm, peaceful, healthy and humble so His ripples spread easily through me or will my sin, fear, doubts, bad habits or struggles slow down His legacy in my life or worse, make it invisible?
Sometimes we go through seasons when circumstances toss us around making us wonder if His legacy is still there. That’s been my last 6 years. But by His grace, He has carried me as I’ve focused almost solely on the wind and the waves. I look forward to changing my focus.
How?
I’ll save it for Monday.
Update: And here it is…Action Steps for 2010.
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Hi, I'm Amy. I 
thanks for a great site – I am still a Pastors wife raising 5 kiddos & relate to a lot of your posts – very encouraging
hope this is a wonderful year for you
@jen, thanks for stopping by!
Not a cheesy analogy. Great post…thanks and I pray God will help you keep your gaze on Him this year and those ripples will be more far reaching than you could ever imagine.
Melody´s last blog ..We Moved!
@Melody, and you too as you begin this new chapter!
Just today I was thinking about “legacy”. How funny.
I’ve been contemplating it a lot lately, to be completely honest. I wonder what kind of imprint I am leaving behind me wherever I go. Like you, it’s not about me, but about the affect (positive or negative) I have on a place, person, situation. Great thoughts Amy!
Amy´s last blog ..Good Grief and New Beginnings
Great minds think alike, Aim!
Awww. Happy birthday, five days ago.
Thanks friend.
Your blog has a wonderful vibe. I absolutely LOVE the way you chose one word *a mantra* to help guide you. I think it’s very powerful. For 2010, I chose the Five Word exercise (#FiveWords2010) and it is working well so far.
Good luck!
Thanks Jane, I am stoked about this year. (And thanks for the hashtag…will check it out!)
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