One Word For 2014 …

There’s a little trend in resolutioning going on right now (why yes, I did just make that noun a verb). It’s to pick one word for the year to act as a guide for self improvement. It is goal making simplified and that is just what I need right now.

I couldn’t fall asleep Wednesday night. I’d done some reading and pondering during the day. I’d thought actively about my goals for the year during quiet moments when Ollie was happily playing yet inspiration seemed to allude me. So, laying next to my snoring Hubby, I thought a silent prayer to God asking Him to help me know what I need to do this year. I asked him to give me a word.

Thursday afternoon I laid down on the couch for a siesta while the snow fell gently outside the house. As I closed my eyes, a word popped into my mind.

It was just one word, but it caused my mind to explode with ideas. The word was GIVE.

Here’s what my one word means to me. This year I want to:

• GIVE my full attention to my children when they need me.
• GIVE my complete love and devotion to my husband.
• GIVE better time and effort to my work with the youth of our church.
• GIVE my creative brain the opportunity to express itself.
• GIVE my parents and siblings the time and attention they deserve.
• GIVE my spirit the nourishment it needs through scripture study and meditation.
• GIVE my body a good, consistent workout.
• GIVE spontaneous compliments to strangers instead of keeping them in my head.
• GIVE sincere service to others.
• GIVE forgiveness when someone hurts me.
• GIVE my light to others who are in darkness.
• GIVE God and Jesus Christ my whole heart.
• GIVE myself a break.

I know that may seem like a tall order. My one word bloomed into so many ideas. I’m sure more will come to me as the year goes on. But I just need to give more in these areas than I am now. I think that is an attainable goal. I think that is improving myself.

I will put a copy of my word on my bathroom mirror where I can see it every day.

Are you picking a word this year? What’s your one word?

PS. I got a new camera lens for Christmas. It is DREAMY. An F-stop of 1.8 means everything is blurred and beautiful except for the one thing I want to focus on. That picture above? Yeah, I totally took it. Not gonna lie, I’m a little proud. Thanks Queen for a superb gift.