Friday, January 30, 2015

8 Things I Learned in January


January and I have a history of big moments, although this time our relationship was fairly normal. We didn't even get any snow. After a sickly December, my kids have mostly been well. They did have a simultaneous bout of strep throat earlier this month.

Without further ado, here are eight things I learned in this month ... 

1. I like essential oilsThere. I said it. Admittedly, I'm just beginning so I have a lot to learn. But I'm surprised myself when I ordered a kit this month and have another ordered scheduled to arrive soon. (More on this coming soon in its own post!)

2. My marriage is stronger than my engagement ring, which broke. The thin, worn band has been resized more than once. I've worn it for 13 years and am thankful in that time Greg and I have grown, individually and together. My ring may be worse for wear but my marriage is going strong. (And the ring is getting an upgrade so I don't hurt pinch my finger in it, again.)

3. Fiction is good for my soul. I tend to read more non-fiction than fiction. That's all good for my brain. But I take everything so personally that all the applying philosophies and advice to life can be exhausting. I've read two fiction books this month and am looking forward to diving into others already on my Kindle.

(I read "Shoot the Moon" by Billie Letts and "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline. I accept any recommendations.)

4. I like to plan but spontaneous adventures are refreshing too. (Read the latest one here.)

5. People like a deal. I guess I already knew this, but I sold several copies of my ebook this month with a sales promotion because, despite its drearyness, January is worth celebrating.

(It's still 99 cents through tomorrow, if you're interested.)

6. God doesn't care about my resume. Public speaking isn't my strength and I don't have a list of such experiences. Even so, I've been invited to speak at two events this year. Both involve telling our adoption story. So, if I'm going to speak in front of an audience, of any size, I'm glad it's about my favorite story.

And I even ordered postcards designed by the talented Lisa Larson so I could promote my ebook at these events.

7. I'm going to Guatemala for a week in July with my husband and my daughter, who will be 8 then. We're joining a local group led by some neighbors up the street, literally, who work with Bethel Ministries to build a house and distribute wheelchairs, clothing, and food. I'm sure you will hear plenty more about this.

8. I prefer TV shows to end their series when they're still on top. Like "Parenthood." I love it. There are so many real-life parallels. I feel like the characters are my friends. But ending on a high note, ratings wise, is better than dragging on. Like "Grey's Anatomy" did.

So. How was your January? What did you learn?
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I'm linking up with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky. Read previous posts: {From 2013} June. July. August. September. October. November. {From 2014} January. February. March. April. May. June. July. August. September. October. November. December.

Want more stories? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

9 comments:

  1. Love your list!! I'm an essential oils user too, I started with that same kit you did and got hooked, can't wait to read your post about it! :) I'm also the same way about fiction, I end up loving it but making myself start is the hard part, I like more applicable things. So glad I found your blog through the link up! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  2. KristinHillTaylor1/30/2015 10:31 AM

    Hi, Kailey! I'm glad you're here. When I read fiction, I don't get much else done, but it's always so nice to retreat from normal life for awhile. :) Happy Friday!

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  3. Jennifer Jackson Linck1/30/2015 12:27 PM

    Great List! I decided to do this each month this year. Something different and to make me think about what all I've learned :)

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  4. KristinHillTaylor1/30/2015 12:44 PM

    Thanks, Jennifer! I'm glad you decided to join in. I like taking the time to think about the month. Plus looking back on these posts in the months to come is fun.

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  5. Girl. Me too, on the oils. I was so surprised by how fast I loved them. Also on the fiction being good for the soul-- I cannot read back to back to back nonfiction with no story to draw me in in-between. And I'm so impressed you can come up with EIGHT things you learned in January, I struggle to think of three or four. ;)

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  6. Me too on several things. Oils, YES. Fiction, YES. Deal, YES; and maybe on National Adoption Day offer it for FREE for a 12-hour window! Resume, same; in 1997 I told the Lord I'm no speaker BUT if someone asks, I will go and Lord You must enable me. Love these lists!

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  7. KristinHillTaylor2/01/2015 3:13 PM

    What's your favorite way to use the oils? I'm curious - and still learning. :) I keep a list throughout the month on my phone or in a post draft of what I want to include in my list. Otherwise I'd struggle too.

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  8. Misty Wagner2/02/2015 10:41 AM

    I hear you with the public speaking. I loathe it and every time I've been asked, I have a mini-melt down. Do not like it, at all...


    your trip sounds amazing! Love your January list! and yes!!! To Parenthood!

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  9. KristinHillTaylor2/02/2015 3:14 PM

    Hey, Misty! Thanks for coming here and joining in this conversation. Hope your February is off to a good start!

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