A New Year and a New Word

Last year I decided that instead of making a list of New Year's Resolutions I would pick a word that would help guide me through the New Year. I got this idea from Ali Edwards; she has been doing this for some years now.

My word for 2008 was CONNECT. I wanted to make more quality new connections, and repair broken connections in some areas of my life. I would like to say that I made a tremendous improvement, but the truth is that I do not feel I did. Connecting was in the foreground throughout the year, but I feel I was only able to take little baby steps. Keeping the blog, for example, helped me connect with myself, keeping me more aware of my day-to-day dealings, helping me live in the moment a little bit more. To a lesser extent, it also helped me connect with other people.

I also believe I took some steps towards re-connecting with God. However, I feel that although I gained a lot of "head knowledge" I just was not able to implement enough of it and make it a reality in my life. Some of the things I learned, renewed my mind and I can see it's transforming potential. Some of it did seep through my life bringing some positive results; I just feel I came to a place where I hit a wall and the only way to continue this journey involves breaking free from my preconcieved notions and surrendering to Him. This is a journey I want to continue in the new year.

In summary, I feel that although I did not "master" the word CONNECT I gave it a good effort and took steps in the right direction. Baby steps, but steps nevertheless.

While I will continue focusing on CONNECT during 2009, I have been thinking about what word I want to add during 2009. For several weeks I have been thinking about it, playing with different words in my mind, and one word keeps jumping at me and I keep pushing it down to the bottom of the list. For a couple of years now I have had little health problems here and there that I complain about and at the same time ignore hoping they go away. I do not know why, but it gives me some anxiety to think about this and I have been afraid to make the doctor's appointment that I should have. None of my problems are life-threatening, but my quality of life is just not what it should be and I have decided is just silly to keep on going without tackling these issues.

I think once I stop putting it off a great weight will lift off my shoulders. So I have decided that my word for 2009 shall be........... H-E-A-L-T-H. Believe it or not, typing it made me shudder. I have been putting off taking care of myself for too long now, so this year I want to concentrate on getting healthier. My focus is broader than just physical health. Yes, I would also love to loose all this "baby weight" I have been carrying around for over 11 years now, but I want to become healthier mentally and spiritually too.

So. Here is to a New Year with a New Focus!

Are you putting off something you know you should be focusing on instead? Take care of it and let the weight lift off your shoulders also.

One Word

I was inspired by a post by Ali Edwards in her blog to choose a word to focus on in the new year. She did this last year too. This word is supposed to be your mantra for the year. (The word she chose for this year is VITALITY).

I have been thinking about this trying to come up with a word that would sum up what I want to focus on this New Year. “Peace” was the first thing that popped into my mind. I have felt so stressed out this year and just so restless, finding a way to attain peace would be wonderful. However, after playing with the word in my mind and trying to define what peace would mean to me I found the word too abstract. I looked at the list of words that people left in Ali’s blog comments and one finally stuck. Are you ready? My word is (drum roll, please) CONNECT. Ta dah!!

There are several definitions in the dictionary for this word, but this one better describes how I’m looking at it

CONNECT: be or become joined or united or linked; "The two streets connect to become a highway"; "Our paths joined”.

Over the last few years, I have slowly disconnected myself from a lot of things that normally would bring me joy and balance and this in turn filled me with unhappiness and depression. I want to work on connecting with my God, my self, my body, my family, my husband, my friends. Honestly, it seems an overwhelming and impossible wish right now. It’s unnatural for me to want to connect to something or somebody. I hate leaning on people or asking for help. Don’t know why, I’m usually happy to help others when asked. However, being this “self-sufficient” normally leaves me feeling alone and empty.

I found this little book Prayer Country: A Tour Guide to the Wonders of Prayer while visiting my in-laws over the holidays and decided to “borrow” it. I have started reading it and it has peak my interest to “explore” Prayer Country. She gives specific guidelines on different prayer methods that have brought positive results in her life. I will share with you my experiences.

Happy New Year!