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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

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2016’s Word: Connect
Investing in Summer–Blog Updates, Home Impro...
Goals in Progress: June (+Goals I Wish I Made)
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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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Emily
Always a magical night at Gardens Aglow at @coasta Always a magical night at Gardens Aglow at @coastalmainebotanicalgardens.
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#GardensAglow #Boothbay
My love of tea, especially chai, is no secret. New My love of tea, especially chai, is no secret. New on the blog: the chai mix recipe from @thekitchn that I use to create my own chai blend at home. 
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Read the post at the link below or by clicking my profile:  https://www.relishments.com/blog/chai-season/
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#chai #chailovers #tea #teablends
We finally got to cross @eatatbluebird off my rest We finally got to cross @eatatbluebird off my restaurant list tonight for a belated birthday celebration. The atmosphere was great and the food was delicious. 
- Grilled Kefta
- Traditional German Sausage
- Fall Spritz & Gold Rush cocktails
- Apple Crisp
- Banana Pudding
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#igers413_food #igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires #VisitTheBerkshires #HancockMA #MezzeRestaurantGroup #BluebirdAndCo
Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we had another fantastic year at @freshgrassfestival. I can never get over how, in addition to all the incredible music, the event features a great venue (@massmoca), delicious food from mostly local vendors, a great local beer tent and bar stocked with @berkshiremtdist and a kid-friendly atmosphere including a @kidspacemm art tent.
Shout-out to some of my favorite acts of the day @ajleebluesummit, @cj_field with @gregcaproni and @theblacklegacyproject.

Looking forward to next year!
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#WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #FreshGrass #FreshGrassFestival #bluegrass #MassMoCA
I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my blog posts, but I just hit publish on my end of August/beginning of September meal plans! Some blogging progress is better than none! Click the link below or visit my profile to see how we used these 2 CSA pick ups from @mightyfoodfarm.
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https://www.relishments.com/blog/august-slipped-away-csa-meal-plan-153/
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebo It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebotanicalgardens.
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#Maine #CoastalMaineBotanticalGardens #Boothbay
We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great Barrington today, bringing along our 6 year old for the first time. 
Pictured: onion rings, pressed Cubano, BOX burger, raspberry mint iced tea/ (huge) side of fries, grilled hot dog, strawberry lemonade. Everything was delicious and my daughter especially enjoyed trying out the lawn games.
Until next year!
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#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #GreatBarrington #TheBistroBox
New on the blog: a list of everything I made for d New on the blog: a list of everything I made for dinner this week. A double @mightyfoodfarm CSA pick up plus hosting my in-laws for dinner resulted in me actually planning quality meals.
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Get the recipe links at https://www.relishments.com/blog/twice-as-good-csa-meal-plan-152/ or click the link in my profile.
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowe I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls this morning. It was as beautiful as I remembered and a great morning for hanging out with some friends.
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#igers413 #ShelbourneFalls #BridgeOfFlowers #WesternMass #WesternMA
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