what I preach

It's funny to watch myself working through this book project.

Seeing myself give thoughts, opinions, and advice.

Knowing deep down that I am my own primary audience.

This morning, I was taking a look back over the past few Julys.

I have my writing folders full of journals from the past five years.

Several months ago, I began the practice of taking weekly times to reflect.

Opening those folders and reading my thoughts from this date and this season in years past.

In this practice, I've learned a lot about myself.

I can see my patterns and rhythms.

The things I hold dear and true, and the things that come and go.

As I looked over my past few Julys, I see this pattern.

This is my time of year to look back and ahead.

I find it amusing to reflect on my previous reflections.

Then to see where I was looking into the future, where I now reside.

And one foundational desire I return to again and again is this desire to self-actualize and to serve.

To look inwardly as I strive to live life better.

To look outwardly for opportunities to serve my world.

And as I do, writing seems to be a recurring theme to help me do both.