Looking back, glancing ahead, to stay current

Believe

Communication is part of my daily routine. Throughout my days at the market, I discuss food, family, and life with many people. Managing a small business and being in close contact with our community brings me joy and inspiration. At the same time, I am teaching and learning everyday. I love my job!

Each January, I take a moment to reflect on the past year. What did I love? What brought me joy and clarity? Where did I go, and who did I meet? Did I stay on theme and enjoy my experiences? Are my close family and friends happy, and have I maintained those relationships this past year?

January is also my favorite time of year to clean out, regroup, and plan ahead for the upcoming months. I examine the year as a whole, identifying the most important moments I will experience or celebrate. These moments influence my theme for the year ahead. Milestones and personal achievements make for wonderful celebrations.

Although the word “believe” is often used during the month of December, I choose to use it year-round. In our home, I encourage belief. Belief in oneself, belief in family, belief in love, and the list goes on. For me, believing that we all have meaning and talent and that we all have purpose propels me forward. To believe is to inspire. With belief, we can all work together and stay in tune with each other. By believing, we become stronger.

This year, I am going one step further by using the word belief as my theme. Before we look ahead, though, I’d like to take a moment to look back. I want to see if I answered the questions that I asked myself last January.

Last year, I wondered about living slowly and the theory of becoming. You can read my 2024 January post right here. https://chowfancy.com/2024/01/25/living-slow-an-enchanting-perspective/

Have we worked on becoming? Have we been living slowly? Have we accomplished some of our hopes and dreams? Are we living with intention? How is our marathon going? Have we taken moments to stop and rest? Have we achieved a feel-good pace?

I believe we have.

So, this year, we will continue on pace and make a new list. Some moments we have yet to experience will be carried over to the new year. Other moments will be crossed off the list because they are no longer necessary. What’s on your list for the coming year? What are your hopes and dreams for 2025?

I want to think about the word believe before writing my list of hopes and dreams for the coming year. As defined in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the word believe means what we consider true or honest. To accept the work or evidence of, to hold as an opinion. Belief is defined as a state or habit of mind. Trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing.

For me, I believe in the good of others.

I believe that hard work and planning ahead, will produce good results. I believe in my husband and my children who I work alongside everyday. I believe in our expanding staff at R&S Meat Market. Together, we are creating a great team.

I believe in the support of our community. I believe that our customers will continue to ask for the best food that we can source. I believe that we and our small local business will be there for our customers.

I believe in learning to rest and not to quit.

I believe it’s difficult to keep it simple. But I also believe that it is worth every single effort. The health of our mind and our body depend on it.

I believe in looking at things from the other persons point of view. (read my January 2020 post here) https://chowfancy.com/2020/01/17/january-looking-from-the-other-persons-point-of-view/ I believe in listening and supporting others and their thoughts and ideas, as well as their hopes and dreams. In turn, I believe that they will do the same for me.

I believe in learning, trying and doing new things, eating new foods, meeting new people, and enjoying new experiences as often as we can.

Most of all I believe in love.

I believe in love, because I am lucky enough to experience it everyday. I wish this for you too! Take a moment to make your own list of things that you believe in. January is the perfect month for this! I wish all of you a bright new year. I wish that it will be filled with endless possibilities (of which you choose the ones you most believe in). I hope it is filled with many exciting opportunities. I wish for you, many meals cooked at home and shared with family and friends. Together we are unstoppable. I believe in you.

Chowfancy!

Keri