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Strengthen In 2015

Published on January 1, 2015 By Emily. Updated on January 1, 2015

For the past 2 years, I’ve chosen words to guide my new year’s goals, instead of a specific goal.  In 2013, it was intentional – the goal was to be as productive as possible and “stop slacking”.  For 2014, my word was invest – the goal was the do the things I was doing better by putting in more time and energy.

I didn’t write an end of year post on how I invested this fall.  Mostly because I don’t really feel like I invested.  I feel like I survived.  There were a lot of changes at work this fall and I didn’t anticipate how much I’d be affected.  Brian and I were really busy.  My summer job turned into a year round one.  Overall, things were good, but I wasn’t invested.  I was tired.

I had a hard time choosing a word for this year.  The end of 2014 sort of beat me up and I wanted to choose something that would reflect my interest in improving my self-care and being better off a year from now than I am now.  I did not want to take more on, I wanted to maintain what I currently had.  I brainstormed and spent some time listening to the “reading of the words” on Allie Edwards.  I ended up with quite a list of good possibilities:possible words for 2015

In the end, I chose strengthen as my word for 2015.

2015

Strengthening is not about adding more.  It is about improving the things I already have, in ways beyond time and money…and saying no to things that are wearing away at what’s really important.  Strengthening is about becoming the person I want to be, not checking items off my to do list.

The word “strength” obviously connotes the human body.  I’ll be the first to admit that my body is not as strong as it has been in the past.  This year I’m going to practice yoga regularly (I’m aiming for 6 times a week!), as well as walking and running when possible.  I’m also going to work on making better choices about what I put into my body, increasing fruits, vegetables and water and decreasing sugar and alcohol.  None of this is going to be easy, but I think that considering long term strength will make it more attainable.

6So then, just as you received Christ

In my discussion with Brian about my word for this year, he suggested I choose a Bible verse that includes my word.  He’s smart like that.  I chose this verse because it will help me focus on what I really need to make sure to be strengthening.  Everything should be tied back to my roots in Christ and the thankfulness that should come from that.  I’ll be continuing my participation in the She Reads Truth community, as well as church this year.

In 2015, I want to strengthen my relationships.  Brian and I participated in a small group at our church this fall where we read Timothy Keller’s The Meaning of Marriage.  It was a really good book and definitely made me think.  I’m looking forward to more purposeful moving forward together this year.  I also want to continue to strengthen my relationships with the rest of my family and with friends, old and new.  It’s so easy for me to sit in my house and stare at a computer all afternoon, but I need to make a point of spending time with people.

There are some skills I’d like to improve in 2015.  I plan to continue making this site better by strengthening my understanding of social media and coding.  I also want to strengthen my cooking skills with some serious time in the kitchen.  Despite writing a food blog, I’ve definitely been slacking on improving my cooking.  Also on the horizon: a photography class and the completion of my masters degree.

In general, I want to become a stronger person over the next 12 months.  This is the year to stop wasting time worrying and being scared and strengthen my resolve.  I’m looking forward to weighing decisions and tasks this year based on whether they’ll strengthen or weaken me.  Here’s to a strong 2015!

Related Posts

How I Rehydrate Dried Beans
Goals in Progress: May
Reading List: Rest and Community
A Look Back on My 2016 Word: Connect
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Filed Under: life Tagged With: goals, strengthen

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Comments

  1. Tammy says

    January 2, 2015 at 9:44 am

    Emily – thanks for sharing – what a great word to start out the new year! So often we try to change, add, improve all the things we fail at looking back over the past year. WE need to learn and accept what was done for a reason, and strengthen the good that was there. I too am going to put that verse into memory!

Trackbacks

  1. How I Rehydrate Dried Beans says:
    January 30, 2015 at 5:52 am

    […] I wrote earlier this month, I’m making an effort to strengthen my life in a variety of areas during 2015.  One of the ways I’m doing that is making as many products at […]

  2. Strengthen 2015: January and February says:
    March 5, 2015 at 7:35 pm

    […] you may recall, at the beginning of the year, I committed myself to getting stronger in 2015.  I finished 2014 feeling a little beat up and I was ready to stop trying to do all the […]

  3. Strengthening: 2015 So Far | Relishments says:
    September 1, 2015 at 8:28 pm

    […] may remember that in January, I picked “strengthen” as my word for the year.   Last fall was rough (though I made it rougher than it needed […]

  4. 2016’s Word: Connect | Relishments says:
    January 1, 2016 at 7:24 pm

    […] my at the beginning of  2015, I wrote: “This is the year to stop wasting time worrying and being scared and strengthen my […]

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New year, new word! This year, I'm focusing on bei New year, new word!
This year, I'm focusing on being deliberate in my speech, my relationships, my work and my time. Change isn't going to happen my chance!
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My top 9 of 2020. In typical 2020 fashion, I had a My top 9 of 2020.
In typical 2020 fashion, I had all kinds of issues getting my Top 9 created this year and this image still has problems. 
But the images are accurate and nicely summarize the year - take out from local establishments (@aokberkshirebbq, @thebreakroomgw, @northadamsfarmersmarket), #RelishmentsBakes projects, the natural beauty of the Berkshires and our successful container garden.
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New on the blog: my 8 favorite recipes I made in 2 New on the blog: my 8 favorite recipes I made in 2020. This post has ideas for every meal and features recipes from @bonappetitmag, @kingarthurbaking, @budgetbytes, @markbittman, @smittenkitchen and @wholefully.
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I'd love to hear about the best things you cooked this year!
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Apparently, in the weirdness that is 2020, posting Apparently, in the weirdness that is 2020, posting to my Instagram feed was one of the things that didn't make the cut. There are more items than I'd prefer in that category, but recently I've felt like I'm beginning to get my feet firmly planted beneath me again. This fall was so busy with learning how to teach remotely and parent 2 children well. I don't anticipate that life will ever feel not busy, but I've been able to carve out some time lately for activities I've been missing. Making bread is one of those activities. Hopefully, more posts in the feed will be more frequent going forward. 
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Peasant bread recipe from @breadin5
For last month's #RelishmentBakes challenge I made For last month's #RelishmentBakes challenge I made apple turnovers with puff pastry from scratch. I am so pleased with how well they turned out and proud of myself for tackling puff pastry.  Get all the details at the link in my profile. Next month's challenge is coming soon!
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#sponsored All the time we've spent at home lately #sponsored All the time we've spent at home lately has definitely had me looking to expand the snack options in my pantry.  I jumped at the chance to try these @sunmaid Sour Raisins  and they immediately became one of my daughter's favorite snacks. She likes them because they're reminiscent of candy, I like them because they're technically fruit and they come prepackaged for easy snacking and taking on the go. I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty they are!
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This weekend's weather was amazing and my family e This weekend's weather was amazing and my family embarked on the only way to kick off fall: we went apple picking at Jaeschke Orchards in Adams.  The parking lot was full, but out in the orchard we hardly came across any other groups.  The trees were heavy with apples and we quickly filled our bag. Looking forward to apples for snacks, pie, crisp and turnovers in the coming weeks.
This month's #RelishmentBakes challenge may sound This month's #RelishmentBakes challenge may sound familiar because it's a repeat. Sort of. Get all the details and join me in some turnover baking this month at the link in my profile.
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