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Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

Christmas has come and gone, and 2025 is just days away. My house is still filled with the lingering scents of cinnamon and evergreen, and the remnants of wrapping paper have finally found their way to the recycling bin. It was a wonderfully relaxing holiday spent at home with my family. There were treats aplenty, gifts we didn’t even know we needed, and — miraculously — all three of my kids got along. If that’s not a Christmas miracle, I don’t know what is.

With the chaos of the season winding down, I’ve found myself in a reflective mood. There’s something about the last week of the year that invites introspection, like it’s beckoning us to take stock of where we’ve been and where we’re headed. As I look back on 2024, I can see so many areas where I’ve grown, both personally and professionally.

First, let’s celebrate the wins. I’ve been learning to do that more often because it’s so easy to focus on what went wrong or where we could’ve done better. This year, I took on challenges that stretched me. I made decisions that required both courage and vulnerability, and I’m proud of how I handled them. There were also smaller victories too like getting out the door on time more than once — a Christmas miracle in its own right.

Of course, not everything was smooth sailing. Like anyone, I’ve had my share of stumbles. There were times when I fell short, when I reacted too quickly or didn’t give something my best effort.

But here’s the thing: I’ve learned to view those moments not as failures, but as opportunities. I believe every misstep holds a lesson if we’re willing to look for it.

For example, I’ve learned that I don’t have to have everything figured out all at once. Growth isn’t a straight line, and sometimes the best thing we can do is just keep moving forward, even if we’re unsure of the destination.

As I think about the year ahead, I can’t help but feel hopeful and excited. There’s something so refreshing about a new year, like a blank page waiting to be filled. I’m setting intentions instead of resolutions this time — things like embracing curiosity, leaning into challenges and making space for joy.

There’s a quote from C.S. Lewis: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” It’s a comforting reminder that no matter where we are in life, there’s always room to grow, to learn and to create something beautiful.

So, as 2025 approaches, I’m ready to turn the page. I’m grateful for the lessons of the past year, for the wins and the wisdom gained from the losses. Most of all, I’m grateful for the people I get to share this journey with — my family, my friends and everyone who’s walked alongside me in 2024.

Here’s to a year of possibility. Let’s make it count.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams. Her column appears every Saturday.