Matt said something at Renovatus’ Sunday gathering today and it got me thinking. He made a comment about how if he could meet anyone he might want to meet himself from last year. Then he could tell himself whatever it was that he should know for the upcoming year. Matt said it more simply and better than that, but it’s an interesting idea to contemplate at the beginning of a new year.
Jess and I have had a lot of wonderful memories, made some new friends, experienced a lot of great times, had our second child, and all sorts of other good things. But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that we refer to 2007 as our year of hell. It was a tough year. It wasn’t really hell, but it was rough.
But what would I want to tell Ryan 2007? What would you tell yourself from one year prior, Mr. Blogger 2007? Mrs or Miss Blogger 2008 what insights, ideas, or warnings would you give last years model?
I don’t have any good advice thought up. I wish I had thought of something good before I started this blog…nope…maybe I’d say…”Ryan 2007, it’s going to be a rough year.” That’s all I’ve got so far. I mean, I could add something like…”Jesus is walking with you, don’t forget to find him in the dark places.” or, “don’t worry, you get sleep next year. Trust me.” or “Dude, you are lucky to have such a wonderful family, but you probably already know that.” or…like I said, I don’t have anything good yet. Do you?
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i would tell me 2007 “Hey…. all those times you think he’s being nice to you cause you’re friends? No. He’s being nice becaust he hates you with every ounce of his being.”
that’s what I’d tell me.
thats a good one.
Oh, I also feel like I should communicate that my next post will be some of the highlights from 2007. It was an amazing year. I have an amazing wife and kids and church and friends and etc. etc. Don’t think that just because it was a tough year that I think it was a wash.
I wonder if I would have wanted a warning that Adam was going to die? Probably not. Why anticipate something like that?
And it’s not like I needed to give myself some huge warning like, “Take the door on the left, not the right!!!”
It was a great year with all sorts of learning moments, times to get through and times to treasure. Did I feel like it was hard while I was living it? Not too bad, I think… Maybe it’s just a blur.
I would tell myself not to buy the green Eureka Optima Bagless Upright Vacuum again…the motor burned up when I vaccuumed my car last time and it will die again this time.
That could be a warning about the car and not the vacuum, T.
I think all I’d really want to hear would be a simple affirmation: “Don’t panic. This moment is temporary and He will move you along to the next. Stay calm.”
i have a purple Fed Ex pin that says “Don’t Panic”
I also have Hitchhiker’s Guide. But its the movie, so it doesn’t say “Don’t Panic” on the back like the book does.
yep.
that’s it.
hmmm… what would I tell johnny oh seven…. you think your life will stay the same? HAH!
oh midge. i heart you and your commentability.
i think i would tell myself: everything you have right now? well hold it dear cause it’s ALL going to change this year. EVERYTHING. brace yourself. most of it will move away, change, grow, get distant, get lost, uproot, tell you things you don’t want to hear, shatter everything you thought you knew, love you more fiercely than you ever thought was possible, remind you that you are worth it, treat you like shit, make you feel worse than that, challenge everything you believe and stick you in a blender. but you’ll be alright. cause 2008 looks better.
there is always hope.
ryan! send me your address, I have something to send you!
Thank you Andrew! Thank you. I know what it is that you desire to send and…well…thank you. My heart is happy right now.