I finally created this blog where I can stay connected with my special friends. I figure that anyone caring enough to respond to me via this blog has to be special…like painted toes.
Heavens knows how I have resisted doing this. I did not want to have to learn one more technical thing that could easily frustrate me. Actually, I labored over this project with a different blog service and almost gave up at midnight last night. Then I received a sweet note from a daughter-in-law inquiring about not being able to locate my Painted Toes blog. That was all I needed to start over on the one you see now. In keeping with my word for the year-RELEASE-I have released my techno-phobia…and subsequently released my words.
I’m encouraging my friends to share their words for the year as well; they are inspiring to say the least. Care to share?
My word for 2009…..Optimize!
Definition according to Webster’s II:
…To improve or develop as far as possible.
…To make the most effective use of.
My process……selecting this word for ’09:
* The word organize was first but not it.
* Next was prioritize…still not it.
* Thoughts of wanting to do ordinary life and my calling in a better way.
* A desire to be prepared, experience joy instead of stress and/or frustration, and to be more hospitable whether welcoming people to my home or my heart.
* A desire to make better use of the space in my home and God’s gifts of time, abilities, and opportunities.
* A desire to follow God’s voice/direction by decreasing mental, emotional, and material clutter.
* Noticed Proverbs 4:25 highlighted in my Bible: “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
God’s purposes and the person He created me to be are before me!
(One year ago, I became aware of Julie’s practice of choosing a word for a calendar year and making that a focus for her life. I was blessed by her example; my word for 2008 was embrace. In December I was able to summarize ’08….Embrace lessons of an extraordinary year. This January I am even more excited about having a word for the year, and I recommend the practice! Julie….Thanks for being an encourager and blessing my life!)
Julie (my mother-in-law) introduced the Word of the Year idea to us last year. She encouraged each of us to come up with a word for 2008.
Your word could be your goal, your strength, your challenge, your go-to word… whatever you made of it. My word for 2008 was VALUE. I have struggled for a long time with valuing myself: with seeing the value in all that I do and all that I am. It also meant that I should pay more attention to the things and people I value around me. In situations that were difficult, I could remember my word and use it to find an explanation or best possible solution. I’ll be honest, most of the time I forgot about my word. However, it amazes me how hindsight works… It came to be that the thing I value most in life: family- and the thing I have always seen as the most valuable experience of my life: motherhood- have become a reality in 2008. I found out in 2008 that I would soon be a mother, and that I would be creating my own branch of family. I had NO IDEA that this would be the turnout when I chose value as my word on January 1st, 2008.
For 2009, I have chosen PEACE as my word.
This can mean many things:
*To find peace within myself, with my inner thoughts, and to have peace of mind.
*To come to terms with the fact that I cannot do all or control all; to be less stressed and more peaceful in my pregnancy and my day-to-day life, so as to provide a better environment for my baby and my husband.
*To strive for peace in all of my relationships, and to understand that the dynamics of certain connections are simply different– not better or worse, just different. This includes relinquishing jealousy and finding peace, rather than inadequacy, in my feelings.
*To find peace with strangers (sometimes by simply being more patient), and to understand that people are not always going to be or do what I expect.
*To be at peace with my body (this one is a bit of a yearly struggle for me).
*Ultimately, to accept the path that God has chosen for me willingly and peacefully.
2009 is sure to be a year of change… with my husband completing his program and finding a new career, the possible relocation that this new career could imply, a baby being born, the transition to a family of 3, and the new role of motherhood. Because I do not generally adjust well to change, I thought “peace” would be the perfect word to assist me through this year of change.
Who knows if PEACE will end up meaning what I think it will… but I will try to turn to my word for strength, for guidance, and for reflection throughout 2009.
This blog thing is a learning process. I answered the question and towards the end, got kicked off… there went all that work. A breath later I am back at it.
I’m excited about my word and I am excited about what other people have identified as their word. Here’s my story:
Julie, in 2007 December, asked me my word for the 2008 year and I thought it was a great idea, but I never did pin point a word. She patiently asked again this year, I thought a bit more. But, I didn’t go looking for a word; I just had it in my mind somewhere. What I was doing was looking for a different background for my email and one of the background styles was called COMPASS. Ha, that was it, that was my word. I goggled the dictionary and found it was such an “encompassing” word. These definitions do describe my 2009 word.
A navigational instrument for finding directions.
I have that, God’s word in my life; He guides me and will again this year.
Bring about; accomplish; “This writer attempts more than his talents can compass”
What will He accomplish through me this year; it’s that obedience thing I have to be mindful of. Studying Exodus in BSF this year, obedience is a theme. So, I wonder what else He’ll accomplish?
Scope: an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: “a piano has a greater range than the human voice”;”within the compass of this article”; “within the scope of an investigation”;
What’s the arena I am to participate in, school, home, work, church?
Circumnavigate: travel around, either by plane or ship; “We compassed the earth”
Even this fit, I know my daughter and I are planning a 10 week Language Immersion experience, that will involve travel. Wonder what the thread is here?
The limit of capability; “within the compass of education”
What limits will be restrictive or be pushed?
In Law, to compass is to purpose (or intend) something. It is an individual that is imagining something or to plot a plan. Compassing signifies a purpose (or design) of the mind (or Will).
Purpose, yes, I was made on purpose for a purpose. I hope I move beyond intentions, but that can be a weakness.
A compass is a device that always points north.
There is God again, a reliable, firm direction.
Thank you God, what a word!
So as I navigate this year with God as my guide, I can’t wait to look back and see His plan. I pray I have ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to follow totally.
Julie: Hooray for you! I am right there feeling your pain as I too try to get a blog up and going. I have been resisting the techno stuff as well. But I did pick a word for the year based on your coaching me in 2007! It’s DREAM! And I’m encouraging all around me to pick a word for the year too. I love your blog name!!! So creative and freeing!!!!! Glad to see you on line and reconnect again! Keep paintin’ those toes!
Lori Sammartino
Just asking Julie…how wonderful to hear from you~ my awesome life plan facilitator! I’m happy to respond to your creative colorful toe painting blog! Blogging is something I have also avoided as another “to do” on the long list. Truthfully this is my is my third time to share God’s Rhema Word Theme for 2009. God gave me two words…”Shalom Adventures” As I am a seeker of being complete and at peace in the quiet stillness with my Lord and as He leds me to new adventures in life purpose coaching, speaking, training and writing. I am very optimistic about new opportunities this year…one international dream fulfillment is Hope Jamaica this spring. Another is certification for wellness coaching. Next big step is a new book project; “A Psalm for All Seasons” to earn scholarships and to fund missions. God is teaching me through life’s challenges to trust and keep peace within and with all. My prayer is for more “shalom” in our world as we wait in anticipation for Jesus is coming soon! Blessings of Love, Carol J. Smith