My #OneWord for 2018

I love choosing ONE WORD to narrow my focus for the year. Sheila at BookJourney.net offers a space for us to share our ONE WORDS each year. I chose ONE WORD in 2015 and 2016, but never landed on one for last year. I missed having that focus last year and was determined to find one this year. My previous words were Balance and Begin and I found them to be helpful in keeping me focused on my goals. 

This year is going to be an emotional one for me. Our oldest will be graduating from high school in May and heading off to a yet-to-be-determined college in August. Our second child will start his senior year in August and the cycle will start all over again. It's already been difficult going through several "lasts" with our oldest during his senior year. Watching the boys compete and perform together has been so special for our family and knowing this will be the last time has been tough for me. They are best friends and I know they will miss each other deeply. 

 

I've been trying to find a word that encompasses my emotions and thoughts about this coming year. Then I hugged my son and I knew what my word should be.

The word Embrace has two definitions and both are meaningful to me this year. 

Embrace (verb) - to hold someone closely in one's arms, especially as a sign of affection.

(noun) - an act of holding someone closely in one's arms.

This photo above is one of my favorites. It's Patrick embracing his good friend Kam after he crowned him Homecoming King. Kam was Homecoming King last year and it was a special moment for Patrick to be crowned by him. 

I have been doing a lot of embracing lately. Not just with our children, but with friends as well. There are a number of moms that I am close to that are sending off their first, last, or middle child this year. As we travel together through the "lasts", it's been comforting to know that we have each other to go through it with. I've also been embracing our children and my husband more lately. I've needed the physical contact of the embrace to center and calm me. Did you know that the minimum time necessary to promote the flow of oxytocin and serotonin during an embrace is six seconds?  In order to encourage those mood-boosting chemicals, hold on to that loved one for at least six seconds. 

Embrace (verb) - to accept or support a belief, theory, or change willingly and enthusiastically.
(noun) the act of accepting or supporting something willingly and enthusiastically.  

I am embracing the idea that there will be a change in our family, in our home, in our lives. I am enthusiastic about the experience of choosing a college. I look forward to visiting him there and sending him packages after he moves in. I am excited to support him as he competes at the college level for Cross Country and Track and performs in their music program. I'm in awe of all the opportunities ahead for him and can't wait to see what he is going to be.

I'm embracing the idea of only two children in our home (for one more year) and then knowing that it will just be Pat and I and our daughter. I'm embracing the change that is to come from watching our children leave the protection of our home and begin their lives as adults. I'm embracing the idea that sooner rather than later, my focus will be less about our children and their schedule and more about me and what I want to do.

I may be a bit emotional in the next days, weeks, and months. But, I am bursting with pride over all our little family has created and the changes that are ahead for us. In Ecclesiastes 3, it states that there is a time for many things, one of them being a time to embrace. This is my time and I am going to embrace all of it that I can.

Don't fear change - embrace it.

Anthony J. D'Angelo

Life is all about embracing each moment that is given to you.

Evangeline Lilly

It's not complicated to embrace life. 

You just have to make the choice. 

Faith Hill

My One Word for 2016

Last year, I chose One Word that was my focus for 2015. I wrote it down in places that I would see it every day. When I had decisions to make I reflected on my One Word and whether my decision would affect what I wanted to achieve. Last year's One Word was "Balance". I was completely out of balance in my life and needed to regain control in numerous areas. I really believe that I did so much better "balancing it all" and even though it isn't perfect, I know I am much more balanced than I was in 2014. To see my post from last year, click HERE.

I tossed around several different words for the last few weeks, trying to see if I kept seeing one, kept hearing it in my mind, praying over the words, and waiting for a sign. It didn't come right away like I expected it too.  In fact, I'm half-way through January and I've finally felt like NOW my One Word is clear.

My One Word is..................................... BEGIN. 

To begin, begin. 

William Wordsworth 

One day last week, I came across this quote and it made me stop. Of course, to begin....you must begin. It was that light-bulb moment.  I had several of them while reading TAMING THE TO-DO LIST a couple months ago. See my post about it HERE. I realized while reading this book, that I have a problem with procrastination and starting projects. I put off the hard ones, constantly moving them to the next list and the next one while crossing off the small, easy tasks so I feel like I am accomplishing something. But, those big tasks are still looming over my head. But, since I've read that book, I have realized that just beginning is the battle. Once I start, I plow through and finish the job. I just need to begin.

Begin ~ to proceed to perform the first or earliest part of some action; commence; start:

This definition sounds optimistic and refreshing. Every day is a new beginning, a fresh start, a do-over. But, for some reason beginning can be difficult for me. Maybe it is that what is ahead is unknown, maybe I'm tired, maybe I don't know how to begin or what my next steps should be. 

I've struggled with beginning a new book because I am worried it won't live up to my expectations.

I have a hard time beginning to write a review because the words aren't coming easily.

I have big projects that seem overwhelming so rather than starting them, I just keep moving them from list to list. But, beginning it, is better than ignoring it and not doing it at all.

I need to workout and if I just begin, it goes by fast, but beginning is the hard part. 

Just beginning doesn't require me to be perfect or to finish the job right away or even without mistakes. I just need to begin it. 

God even spent seven days creating the Earth. He had a huge task in front of him and He knew he couldn't finish it all in one day....so He broke it down into parts....creating darkness and light, waters and land, plants and animals, and humans. He spent six days completing his tasks, but to do that he had to...BEGIN. 

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. ~ Genesis 1:1

Your beginning will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. ~ Job 8:7

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:8

All of these verses inspire me to begin and I'm am hoping that this is the year I begin AND finish all those things hanging over my head.

• Organizing our mud room
• Making my heirloom tray
• Hanging up photos on the wall
• Starting the boys' t-shirt quilts
• Repotting my household plants

These are just a few projects that have been on my to-do list for over a year and are just waiting for me to........BEGIN.

What tasks to you need to begin? Are they as small as unloading the dishwasher or starting a load of laundry? Or is it as big as remodeling a room or painting the walls or rekindling a broken relationship? 

I'm am looking forward to starting 2016 with a new beginning.....a new way to.......BEGIN. 

Did you choose a One Word? If so, share it with me! 

A Little Monday Inspiration - Balance

Last week I shared my One Word for 2015.

That word is

Balance

and you can read all about it, HERE.

Over the course of the year, I plan to share quotes and inspiration related to 

Balance

here on Mondays. 

This is exactly where I want to be. 

Right in the middle of too little and too much.

This past week was my first real week of focusing on

Balance

and I feel like I did pretty well.

I actually got a lot accomplished even after subbing for 3 days and 

being busy nearly every evening and all weekend.

I crossed off a couple projects on my list that had been on there for awhile.

That was a good feeling.

I spent some quality time with our daughter and 

tried to keep up more with laundry and household tasks.

I even had time for fun!

So far, this Balance thing is working out great!

Where is your Balance between too little and too much?

Did you choose One Word for your year? If so share it in the comments! 

My One Word for 2015

During the Fall of 2014, I had a wake-up call. I went to my annual physical and had a long conversation with my doctor about how I'd been having periods of anxiety. Waking up in a panic, lack of sleep, chest pains, and inability to concentrate. We discussed my stress level and overall lifestyle.  Without holding back, my doctor gave it to me straight (which is why I love her). She said I had to get a hold of my life, get rid of some of the things on my plate, and find time for myself or I would be in big trouble. She suggested prescription meds, but felt that I could manage some of my symptoms if I changed my habits.  Since medication isn't my first choice, I decided it was time to make some changes.

I'm one of those people who have a hard time saying "No". I like helping others and doing good things, sometimes at my own expense (physically and financially). I realized my plate was overflowing and if I didn't make some serious changes, I would be risking not only my health, but my sanity.

I've been reading The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands
 by Lysa TerKeurst and in it she talks about saying "Yes" to yourself, to your family and to God. I am still reading, praying about it, and reading passages again. This book has been such a life-saver to me. I realized while reading her book that my family was getting my leftovers. My husband and kids were getting whatever I had left after working, laundry, writing, volunteering, etc. Basically, they were getting nothing or a cranky, crazy, and tired mom and wife. I knew something had to change.

For seven years I ran an after-school program at our church with my friend, April. We started with 12 kids and saw up to 54 kids at one time. It was wonderful and stressful, time-consuming and exhilarating, exhausting and exciting. But, it was getting harder and harder for me to find time to plan out lessons and activities for each of the approximately 21 times we met during the school year. Plus, finding volunteers to commit was getting more difficult as well. In December, after much prayer and discussion, we ended this program. I just added hours to my week.

I have been leading story-time at our library for several years. It is just once a month, but also takes time planning out the story, craft, and songs. Lately, only one child has been coming. Since I have also been subbing at the school more, it has been harder for me to attend. I am giving this up. I just added hours to my month.

For ten years I have been writing the newsletter for our local Senior Dining site. It gives them publicity for their program and promotes all the good things they are doing. Even though I could do this during my own time, at any hour, I was finding it hard to keep up and was falling behind, which added to my stress. I gave this up in December. I just added hours to my week.

As you can see, I am finding ways to balance my life.  Finding things I can give up, so I can enjoy what is right in front of me...mainly my husband and children.

Our life has changed now that we have a high school student in the house....a very active high school student. Most weeks include sporting and music events to attend. We also have two other active children in music and sporting events. Add in all their activities, my own commitments, our jobs, and my husband's schedule and we have a pretty packed calendar.  I found I was falling extremely behind on my household duties and my commitments to others.  I needed to find a way to balance it all out.

If you haven't guessed yet, my ONE WORD for 2015 is..................................................

I need to find a way to balance it all.  Life isn't going to get less hectic. I'll have all three kids playing basketball every week now.  Show Choir season has begun for two of our kids. Subbing dates are filling up my calendar. There is always going to be something going on.

I know that many women can relate to my life, the commitments that find their way into our schedules, that overwhelming feeling, and the anxiety. I haven't given up every volunteer obligation, but I feel like I have a better balance of things on my plate. Each of us need to take stock of our life, our schedule, and our family obligations and decide what is best. Giving up something may not be what's right for you, but it was for me.

Balance: a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance (i.word.com)

Finding ways to balance what I NEED to do with what I WANT to do. You have to work fun and enjoyment into your day.  A life full of work, chores and deadlines is no fun. A life of solid fun means important things don't get done. Life is all about balance, finding happiness between too much and not enough, and when to hold on or let go.

I found some Bible passages that also talk about a balanced life.

My life constantly hangs in the balance, 

but I will not stop obeying your instructions.  Psalm 119:109 NLT 

There are constantly going to be distractions, things that will push me off track, set my life off-kilter. But, God is there, if I am willing to listen, to keep me on track and in balance.

For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, 

but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, 

but let God transform you 

into a new person by changing the way you think. 

Then you will learn to know God's will for you, 

which is good and pleasing and perfect.  Romans 12:2 NLT

I love the same verse from Romans 12:1-2 in The Message version:

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: 

Take your everyday, ordinary life - 

your sleeping, eating, going-to-work and walking-around life -

 and place it before God as an offering. 

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 

Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. 

Instead, fix your attention on God. 

You'll be changed from the inside out. 

Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. 

Unlike the culture around you, 

always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, 

God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 

We have the power to make the choices in our life. God doesn't want us to be timid, taking on too much to please others, not having self-discipline to maintain balance in our own lives. He expects us to handle our lives with love and care and keep everything in balance.

Some of the areas I plan to create Balance in my life:

Reading only books for a review requirement makes reading more tedious and less for enjoyment. Working in books that I have been wanting to read helps me get books off my shelf and allows more relaxation while reading.

Balance

Making time to plan and making a plan for time. I am a planner and list-maker. I can't keep everything straight just by remembering to do it, so I find making lists help me stay on track as well as gives me the enjoyment of crossing items off my list. It doesn't do any good to make lists if you aren't going to do the things on the list. Balancing my lists so they aren't so overwhelming and leaving room for fun and accomplishment is important.

Balance

Finding time to plan and cook meals that are healthy and filling for my kids versus finding the quickest and unfulfilling meals because they take less work. Yes, there are going to be frozen pizza or chicken nugget nights, but I hope that meals made with love, those that simmered in the crock pot or baked in the oven will fill our bellies more often.

Balance

Social media is fun and a great way to stay in touch with family and friends, interact with other readers and bloggers, and stay connected to the world. But, it can be all-consuming and can easily eat up an afternoon or evening. I want to balance my down time with less online activities and more family interaction.

Balance

In order for me to feel my best psychologically, I have to also feel my best physically. I tend to go in streaks when it comes to taking care of my physical fitness needs. I need to make this a regular habit, but find a way that it doesn't become overwhelming and is still enjoyable and attainable.

source - quotesfrenzy.com 

I love this photo and quote above. I can't think of a better word to focus on this year. My life certainly needs some balance and I am hoping that balancing my life, will hopefully reflect on others.  No one can balance the scales of life perfectly, but there is a way to stay in control without falling off the beams and I hope to find it.