One Little word 2012

I've never been big on New Year's Resolutions.  I don't recall ever really making one for fear of not following through.  It's a great concept though...really...for the right person.

Last year I came across a blog post by Ali Edwards and was totally inspired.  Every year she has been choosing a word (and sometimes it chooses her) to focus on, meditate on, and reflect upon as she goes about her daily life.  I love this quote from her blog :

 "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."  

Last year, I found myself in a place that I didn't really care for.  I wasn't enjoying life as I felt I should be.  I thought, maybe if I change my focus a little bit, stop wishing things were different somehow, I can enjoy what is right in front of me.  That's when I decided to choose my word for the year.  Present.  To live life right now, not in the past where I cannot change things, not worrying about tomorrow, or next week (although as much as I would like to deny...I still do these things), just being present.  I have to say, this was huge for me!

This word became a background thought after a few months, but it has stayed with me throughout this past year.  I even went as far as having the word engraved on a little charm I could wear it as a tangible reminder on the days it was just... not there.

I found that by focusing on this word, I have been able to stop and look at mundane things with more appreciation.  Yes, it sucks that my life revolves around a 2 and 3.5 year old, their temper tantrums, their endless questions, their inability to zip up coats and put on their own boots, and countless other things, but having this reminder makes me realize that this is temporary.  They are healthy, they are safe, they are funny, they are small, they are here, they are mine.  This is our "present" and pretty soon it will be gone.

I'm very satisfied with 2011.  Nothing too big was accomplished, but tons of small memories were created.  More importantly they were documented.  I was present this year.  I did my best to be in the moment and stop wishing time away.  Looking forward to what God has in store for our family in 2012!  Happy New Year!