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