How do you measure a year?

"Five hundred, twenty five thousand, six hundred minutes Five hundred, twenty five thousand moments so dear Five hundred, twenty five thousand, six hundred minutes How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets In midnights, in cups of coffee In inches, in miles In laughter, in strife In five hundred, twenty five thousand, six hundred minutes

How do you measure a year in a life?" Seasons of Love lyrics © Universal Music Corp., Finster & Lucy Music Ltd. Co. Written by Jonathan Larson

'Rent' is not a musical I know very well but these lyrics had me thinking earlier this year and have given me food for thought over the past few months.

So, how do you measure a year?

This time of year is always an opportunity to reflect on what has passed and look at what might lie ahead. Happily, I stuck with two of my resolutions for 2022: to join a singing a group and join the ladies group at our local squash club*. Sadly, I had to withdraw from playing squash for a few months whilst nursing a pesky achilles injury, but other than that temporary blip, these two pastimes appear firmly locked into my week bringing me joy amongst the new friendships I am forming.

Why was this so important to me?

1. I used to sing in choirs and am-dram groups and was really missing being stretched and challenged musically and vocally.

2. I was becoming uncomfortable with so much of my social circle being church based - not altogether bad but the words in Isaiah 54 v2 were challenging me: "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes."

3. I was already a member of the squash club but not playing, as my previous squash buddy no longer wanted to play. I was nervous and self conscious about my ability so had to dig deep and find some boldness! And committing to a group makes you accountable, right?

4. I am no longer ferrying my offspring to their activities, so my time is a bit more my own these days, so an ideal opportunity to try fresh experiences.

So I have learned a lot this year! I now know:

• the four parts that make up a barbershop chorus

• how to score in squash

• the names of all the ladies in my lovely singing group (it only took me until July!)

• that angles are important when hitting a squash ball (I know the theory even if I cannot execute it effectively!).

• that I CAN do things that scare me!

And of course, I've done a lot of learning for Poema too! My Diploma was a challenge but ultimately brought so much joy and strengthened the desire to make my small business successful.

With 2023 imminently approaching, like many people, I am thinking about what I might achieve throughout the next year. I want my goals to stretch me but not overwhelm me. I'd like them to be a bit scary but not terrifying! I'd like them to be achievable and enjoyable. And I'd like God to be leading me and guiding me.

So I have a bible verse to help... but you'll have to wait until the next email to know more about that!

For now, I wish you a very happy New Year and I'll leave you with a glimpse of the measure of my year..

And HUGE thanks for being alongside me in this adventure.

With so much love,

* Don't for one minute imagine I am a skilled on a squash court - it's a fun and unintimidating environment where sometimes I win some points and sometimes I really don't!