One Little Word - be

Today I made a to do list to get the most accomplished in the last 36 hours of Christmas Break. After filling an entire page of things I decided to do something new.

At the bottom of the page I wrote "goals" and then I tapped into my one little word and listed the following:

Be productive

Be focused

Be patient

Be trusting

Be willing to ask for support

Somehow the list is now exciting instead of daunting and I'm ready to make things happen! What a refreshing new perspective.

one little word 2015

Before I can talk about my new One Little Word, I needed a chance to reflect on my word from 2014. 

choose

I loved the word choose. It inspired me, helped me focus on important things, got me through trying times, and was the best possible word for 2014. As the year came to a close, I found myself avoided thinking about a new word. I was a bit sad to end the year even though I knew I didn't have to say "goodbye" to the word choose. I know that I will continue to be intentional with what I choose to bring into my life and what I choose to send out into the world, but it is time to transition and find a new perspective.

One goal from 2014 that I never quite achieved was the ability to limit myself, to say no when needed and be "ok" with the choice. Instead I chose to continue to do things that make my heart sing so as not to get bogged down with the heaviness of life.

This resulted in a busy and overwhelming life. Spoiler alert: this is not news and will likely be an ongoing trend in my life. Double spoiler alert: I'm not going to stop aiming for less stress!

So this year I want to take this task of choosing my response and choosing my attitude to the next level. My word this year is

be 

Did you make a strange face? I did when it was first suggested to me. I didn't get it. But then the more I thought about it, the more I began to love it (imagine the Grinch's heart growing 3 sizes!). Suddenly I imagined the possibility of setting smaller goals within the course of the year. I haven't decided officially on how it will work but here are a few possibilities:

be joyful
be grateful
be generous
be encouraging
be still
be active

What versatility!

I am grasping more and more how little I can control in life, however I am also grasping that I CAN control how I enter each situation in my life and that I can be joyful always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5.16).

Happy 2015

one little word wednesday

Perspective is so important. I love this picture because you can't see beyond the rocks, but you know there is something out there by looking at Seth's face. Sometimes we get over run by the obstacles and we need others to guide us through these tough days.

This week, I feel like I'm the one on top of the rocks saying "You can do it, you're almost there and you're going to love what you find!" I am not the one struggling (yet), but some around me are.

So I paired this photo with one of my favorite storybook quotes. Each time I read "Lily's Purple Plastic Purse" I get to this line and I pause at the simplicity and importance of the message. Mr. Slinger has perspective on the issue that Lily can't quite grasp. She needs his support and guidance to get beyond the difficulties.

This week I choose to be #cheerfulnomatterwhat for my colleagues, students, and family, "for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (and me!)" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What will you choose?

currently - August 2014

tending to my plants that are somehow still thriving
planning lessons
eating olives and berries (not together)
racing to finish this sweater before school starts
opening this book with the goal of making time to read during the school year
snapping photos of the little people in my life
savoring the last days of summer freedom and sunshine
enjoying my clean and quiet house
sipping coffee
choosing to be joyful always and to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5.16-18)

one little word wednesday

As August approaches I am working staying positive. It's hard to thinking about saying goodbye to slow mornings, fresh food and lots and lots of friends and family time.

So instead of saying "goodbye" to these things, I'm trying hard to choose a different attitude. So I choose gratitude. I am grateful for:

The next season brings back work, meetings, students, families, lessons, grading and much more. I hope to spend August looking at ways to incorporate my summer activities into daily life. I realize that knitting all day while reading my nook is not really an option come September, yet I know there is a way to make time for knitting and reading. Waking up early is usually my go to when I want to add things to my schedule but I rethinking the evenings a bit and wondering how to better utilize my time.

What activities do you make time for during your busy seasons so that you can stay sane?

Slice of Life 2012 - 31

March was a roller coaster.
There was good news and bad news,
Restful moments and stress filled weeks,
Running in shorts and a tee, running in wind and snow,
Days off with S and 13 hour work days,
Baking, cooking, eating out,
New habits forming, pushing old habits off my radar
And on and on and on.

As I reflect on all that happened this month, I am so happy that it is ending well: new knowledge, a clean house and a bit of vitamin D. Although some slices were rushed or leaned toward a whining teenager, I am quite pleased to have a documentation of all that occurred in March 2012.

April, I have high, positive and happy hopes for you! Let's start this month off right!

Slice of Life 2012 - 28

Tonight I am distracted. Joy was in the lead until a bad conversation and an email about an acquaintance came out of nowhere. Determined not to fall asleep downhearted, I began thinking about these people. And then i thought of all of the people whose names came up in conversations today. They seemed like characters in a story at the time, but now I remember that they are real people, living real stories.

So tonight I'm praying for healing: Healing relationships and words between friends; healing bodies and emotions; healing for hearts heavy with loss, for minds littered with decisions to make... I believe we all need a little healing somewhere in our lives and the good news is this, "If our God is for us, then who could ever stop us, and if our God is with us, then what can stand against? Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God You are higher than any other, our God is Healer, Awesome in power, our God."**

May the healing hands of Jesus and the Holy Spirit cover us all tonight.


**lyrics from Chris Tomlin "Our God"

Slice of Life 2012 - 27

"I am fine setting my run, mind, and body on cruise control and relishing the fact that 4 moderate miles provides me-time, an endorphin rush, and a chance to recalibrate my the-world-sucks meter back to neutral." - Train Like A Mother 55/1575

Mission 'positive attitude' is going steady. Too early to call it a success but I'm feeling confident and noticing the little things that help me refocus and reboot my perspective. Running, reading and helping others are currently topping the list of joy-boosting activities!

Slice of Life 2012 - 25

You know how they say, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?" I'm changing it to:

When life doubles the shortening, double the entire cookie recipe.

That's what happened yesterday and while this means that I'll be eating too many cookies for twice as long as usual, it is also inspiring me to stay positive. My slices have been sad and frustrated yesterday so today, I am claiming the last week of March and making it mine! And with each accident and unhappy surprise that comes my way, I will do my best to see it as an opportunity to spin things for the better.

I know this is the right thing to do and I know that my heart needs to make this choice. So I'll have a cup of lemonade with my extra batch of cookies and celebrate the finals days of March.

Slice of Life 2012 - 24

I'm trying so hard not to lose the spring in my step. A new summer haircut, a long run, sun streaming in the window...
Yet I feel continually bombarded by unwelcome surprises. This sickness that is going around could very well be the end of me. Not because I've caught the bug, but it seems everyone else has. And though I have managed to avoid it thus far, I seem to be doing way too much cleaning up those less fortunate.
Going with flow is so much easier when everything is going smoothly. Maybe I'll go back outside and let the sun wash away this unwanted stress...

Slice of Life 2012 - 19

Sometimes the work is less than exciting. At times it is frustrating and at other times fulfilling. Today I am reminded that regardless, there is a reason for the work to be done. And yet again we are given the option to choose joy over all else.

Ephesians 6:7 MSG
"And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God."

Slice of Life 2012 - 18

I have decided to choose my attitude today. I am choosing to be positive, cheerful, restful, intentional. Yet the whispers of criticism, frustration, weariness and disappointment remain. And while I know that for today I can drown them out, I wonder how I can more permanently deal with their presence.

"Be cheerful, no matter what. Pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5.16-17