Here we are 2012. So happy to be here. I love New Years. I love the idea of a second chance, a new beginning, and reminiscing back to the year gone by. For the past three years I have picked One Little Word, as Ali Edwards suggest to focus on for the new year instead of making lots of resolutions. What I have found in doing this is that by focusing on the one little word things related to it do come to you. The One Little Word has the potential to make an impact on your life. Sounds strange, call it what you may, but it works for me so I will continue to pick a word to start each new year.
In 2009 my One Little Word was "Celebrate". Hence the name of my blog. It was the year immediately following Kyle's heart transplant.
Although the first few months were still touch and go with his condition we tried to forget the stress and heartache of the past year and focus on celebrating life and celebrating the everyday moments, taking them all in and cherishing them. Kyle began to get better and life began to resume a routine again. We were all changed from that experience and we began to rejoice and cherish the everyday normal activities in our lives.
In 2010 my One Little Word was "Nurture".
I chose this word because this was the year Kaleb was entering our lives. I knew I would need to focus on nurturing him and are family as our lives would be drastically changed as we added the newest member to our family. I so wanted this little baby but knew it would change our lives in that I would need to give up time to myself, hobbies I enjoyed and freedoms I had been used to for a little while after the little guy was born. I reminded myself to be content and to "nurture", especially when I had to go to work after night with very little sleep due to being up with the Kaleb. "Nurture" was a good word for that year.
In 2011 I chose "Happiness" as my One Little Word". Here I was 43 years old and like many people my age looking at where I was in life and looking back at where I had planned I would be at this time.
I was not unhappy with my life, only unsettled. I still struggle at times with wanting to find a way to be at home more with little Kaleb and being able to have more time to care for our home and family. Inside I struggled a little about where I was in life and what I expected my life should be. I started reading both books and online about Happiness and really working at deciding what makes me the happiest. Then in October I began reading about gratitude and in November I started my Gratitude journal. I began to realize how happy I really was, even if life wasn't what I had planned it should be. I learned a very important lesson, that God has a plan for us too, one that is greater and better than ours could have ever been. We just need to listen to his cues and be patient. Today I can say that I am happy and much more content with my life and excited for our future. "Happiness" was a fun word for 2011.
I encourage you if you are not the resolution making type to maybe consider choosing One Little Word. Here is another great reflection on One Little Word. If you do chose one I would love to hear about it in the comments sections. I wish all of you a wonderful New Year. May it be full of blessings!
On a side note yesterday I did get some pictures taken of Jess and Kyle. I think they were actually happy how they turned out. They will be part of my first page of Project Life. I am also working on finishing up my December Daily album.
