I don't make New Year's resolutions. They are dissapointing and deflating when you can't follow through after a month a week or two. Instead I choose a word that embodies what I want to focus on for the year. Two years ago it was persevere. It was right for my life then, and focusing on that word did make a difference. Last year's word was patience. I would love to tell you that I am now the most patient person in the world. Sadly, I am not. However, I have learned to take a deep breath while waiting in long lines, I doodle while I am on hold, I bring a book with me everywhere.
No, I didn't come up with the idea. That honor goes to the incredibly talented and insightful Ali Edwards, who is also teaching a class over at Big Picture Classes called, (are you ready?) "One Little Word". This class aims at keeping you focused on your word throughout the year; incorporating photography, writing, and scrapbooking. I enrolled, and I am loving that it helps me keep my word front and center.
This year my word is NOW. I thought long and hard about my word this year, I wanted something that would truly enrich my life, something that could be whispered to myself as a reminder, a mantra of sorts. Like many moms I know, (actually lots of people, moms or not) we tend to focus on getting everything done, what's coming next, the endless to-do list of life. But this way of living is trade-off, and what we are trading is enjoying the precious moments that unfold right in front of us while we are racing around to get to the next thing.
I know that we have to be productive for the sake of our families, jobs,and sanity. I am not trying to be Pollyanna here. But I want to remind myself that now is all there really is, and I had better damn well learn to enjoy it.
There are two quotes that I love (actually there are several, but in the interest of time, I will share only my favorites) that help remind me to be here now. To enjoy what I am doing now.
"The past is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. That's why they call it the present."
-Bill Keane, cartoonist of Family Circus fame
That one is fun...this one is powerful:
"We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there "is" such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and postive action."
— Martin Luther King Jr.
Whew. That last one gets me every time.
So what is your word this year? What do you want to focus on, change, or incorporate into your life this year?
Becasue I beleive in this exercise so much, and also because I believe in the power of physical reminders, (and also becasue I love jewelry) I am giving one reader a Lisa Leonard Designs Word of the Year necklace, with your word stamped in sterling silver. To enter just leave a comment telling me what your word is and why you chose it. Entries will be closed Thursday at midnight MST, and the winner will be announced Friday moring.
I look forward to seeing what you choose to bring into your lives this year.
