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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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Goals in Progress: May
Goals In Progress: December and 2011 Overall
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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
It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
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#igers413_food #strawberries #LocallyGrowjln #PickYourOwn #LanesboroughMA
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires

#NorthAdams #NAmazing
Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shir Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shiredonuts, Poseidon Coffee, the Ashwillticook Rail Trail, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams Free Library and beautiful flowers.
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#AdamsMA #igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires
I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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#LazyGenius #KendraAdachi #NameWhatMatters #TheLazyGeniusKitchen #TheLazyGeniusWay #BookGiveaway
This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #MassMoCA #ArtMuseum
Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, in its new location on Main Street in North Adams. The shop is incredible - the displays are great and the plants are delightful. There's a refill station with bottles and jars for soaps, detergents and other products, a terrarium bar, and an abundance of sustainable and beautiful products. I'm now in the process of pondering who I can purchase Plant Connector gifts for in the coming months.
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #ShopLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #PlantConnector
This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuse This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuseum is a great visit for all ages. The current Voyage to the Deep exhibit, which involves an interactive Nautilus submarine that my 5 year old spent literally hours in.  We also thoroughly enjoyed the Aquarium and Berkshire Backyard. Highly recommended - we'll be back soon!
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #BerkshireMuseum #PittsfieldMA
My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
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