My Word for 2011

A few days after the New Year, my friend Kristin sent me an email. I don't check email too often, but I was glad that I chose to listen to my urge. She had shared with me an article written by Christine Kane. Who? I had never heard of this woman either, but the title caught my curiosity, so I kept reading.

The article was titled, How to Make 2011 Your Best Year Yet. I found it on her blog, it is called, Resolution Revolution. She originally posted it in 2007. The article is a tweek of the rituals of making New Year's resolutions. It really resonated with me!

The idea is to pick a word for the year, instead of making goals. Goals are good, but the point she was trying to make is they are never specific enough. If you chose one word that envelops all that you are trying to accomplish, and focus on it, the whole process becomes very customized to your needs. Read the article, I linked it. You have to read to it understand. My explanation will not do it justice.

The word I chose this year is, CREATOR.

I was thinking of what I would like to accomplish this year. What should be #1 on my list for ME? My eyes have been opened to the fact that for the last year and a half I have been merely surviving. My life has really been all about reacting to things and situations that have arisen. I have played a very minimal part in creating it. How sad that truth was when I embraced it. I firmly believe life is to be created, not occupied.

So how do I change that? I'm not totally sure, but I'm beginning to see through the fog. I have started to identify things that need my attention. I have chosen to create rather than react. I remind myself, " I'm in control!"

Something I have instigated is reading from the scriptures. We have always followed along in the an illustrated version, but even that was starting to dwindle. I would always make excuses as to why I can't instigate family scripture study. It's the man's job was my take, and since Dustin is not here we cannot have it. I don't know where this thinking came from, but it was there. I changed it! Though Dustin is not there to read with us, we have been having a short 10 minute family reading time. We each read 2 vs and at the end I explain. It has been working well and the kids have enjoyed it!

Clutter is building in our home. I started to purge those things that were of no worth (Dustin convinced me to hold off for a yard sale. We have a deal that if that doesn't happen by March, I can chuck everything). It is nicely organized junk now - progress sometimes happens in little steps- it's a start!

I Look forward to continuing this journey. I want to be the creator of my life. I realize things come up that i have no control over, but I do not have to chose to react. I will chose to create the best possible outcome. Wish me luck.

PS I am working on a suggested journal activity that is part of this, if you would like that let me know. I can email it to you.