I can’t remember the last time I made New Year’s resolutions; it was so long ago. I never kept them and really it was just a waste of time. Years ago I started using the word of the year system in my life. Each December I would think what I wanted to work on in my life the following year and would come up with a word to summarize it. I wrote it in my journals, planners, prayed over it and tried to make it something positive in my life. This system was amazing and I felt so accomplished at the end of the year.
In 2018, my word was Joy and I brought this into my family as well. There is so much negativity and unhappiness in the world lately that I needed Joy everyday. I made my kids develop the mindset as well. I wanted them to realize that there is Joy in every moment in life, even the hard ones. Sometimes it’s harder to find the Joy but there is always Joy there. I feel putting Joy in my everyday life made me such a happier person. Made me enjoy life and every moment with my family and friends. And now that I have this practice in place, it’s something I will carry over forever. Joy will never leave my life, it’s just not the word of my year anymore, but it’s still there!
2019 I have chosen the word Intentional. I mentioned this in my last post a bit but didn’t go too far into it. There are a number of reasons I have chosen this word to focus on in my life. I feel like there are so many facets in my life where I can be more intentional, making myself a better person. I plan on working on intentional living in my spiritual development, my relationships, my career, finances, my home, stewardship and my me time.
Be more intentional! – 1 Timothy 4: 15-16
I choose intentional a couple of months ago because I was going through a phase where I was questioning a lot going on in my life. I wanted to make sure I was finding Joy in everyday, and at the time it was really hard. I was making decisions that others wanted me to make and it really wasn’t bringing myself Joy and because of that it wasn’t bringing my family joy. I was asking myself Why? a lot! This period of my life really made me think about every part of my life and the decisions I had made. I wanted to make sure I was making decisions for me, and living my life for a purpose, not just following the flow or pleasing others around me and not myself.
In each area I plan on working on this year I have written out goals I want to work on with individual plans. I have set both short term (monthly) goals and long term goals for each area of my intentional living. During this year I will be sharing with you my journey to my intentional living. I’m excited to share this journey with everyone, I hope it inspires some of you to take the journey next year!
I would love to hear some of your words of the year. Share with me below your 2019 word and why. You never know, your story may inspire someone else, leading them to live their best life!
John Evans
Thank you Kerry – it is one thing to have a word for the year, it is another to have a well-developed and “intentional” reason why. Not to mention being able to reflect on the previous year’s word. I’m jealous and very humbled by your dedication to the activity. I don’t have a word from last year – and that is partly why I’m trying to write this comment – so that I will put more emphasis on why I think this year’s word is needed in my life. The word I’m choosing for this year is “gratitude.” I feel that I often neglect this aspect of my walk. Clearly I have more things to be grateful for then I have time in a day to reflect upon, so why is it so easy to neglect finding the time and dedication to express my gratitude to even just one of those things each day. As I wander through this year, I plan to look for even the smallest of things to realize the gratitude I should express – to people, for God’s gifts, for moments with family, for time alone, for work, for…. well you get the idea. Thanks.
admin
What a great word! Gratitude is a great way to improve everyday life! Thanks for sharing here, a great way to be held accountable!