Perspective

It is that time of year again. The curtain closes on 365 days of my life and I, like many others, look back on where I have been.

In January 2017, I selected "conscious" as my focus word for the year and I tried to use it as a guide. I was conscious about thinking before I spoke (and sometimes deciding NOT to speak), conscious about my money and how I spent it, and conscious about my relationships with others and how I decided to nurture them. The word served me well!

As I sit here on the threshold of the next 365 days I once again tried to pick the perfect word- that one little word that would help me to ground me and guide me. This meant looking ahead to the things I already KNOW will happen: selling our house, leaving my job, finding a new house, finding a new job, watching my son embark on his own life outside of our family home, rejoicing with my daughter as she graduates college, takes the NCLEX, and gets married.

Many people facing all of this would have selected the word "change" as their One Little Word, but I did not want to focus on the changes. Instead, I want to focus on how I deal with them. I do not want to allow myself to get bogged down in what COULD BE. Rather, I want to focus on what ACTUALLY IS. Because of this, my word for 2018 is PERSPECTIVE.

I want to keep the changes in my life in perspective, focusing on the possibilities rather than the immediate impact. I want to look for the bright spot at the end of the storm, not the thunder claps and lightning bolts. As the changes require decisions, I want to take the time to truly examine my choices and look at the possibilities from all perspectives. And most importantly of all, I want to consider God's perspective- what does HE want for me, for my family, and for my future?

Though 2018 is very "fuzzy" now, I am certain that my perspective will become clearer as the days of the New Year go on.

What about you? Do you have One Little Word that you have selected for the new year? I would love for you to share it with us!  Post a comment below and tell us a bit about it. If you care to, you can even follow my blog as I post updates regularly. We can all offer support to one another as the year goes on and we truly welcome our word into our lives. Just go over to the right and become a follower!

Clearing Out

I have just begun the process of sorting through my crafting materials, in preparation for emptying out and reorganizing my craft space. We took my daughter back to college yesterday and, before she left, I asked if it would be ok for me to use her bedroom as the "parking area" for all of my stuff temporarily.

Though I am looking forward to having a finished, organized space where I can locate my materials and actually make things, I am not looking forward to the sorting/purging process. Over the years I have accumulated a LOT of stuff! At the time that I bought each item I am sure that I really felt I had a need for it, but now..... not so much.

It suddenly hit me today that our life can be the same way. We go through life and try a lot of things, accumulating habits, friends, and stuff. At the time, we felt we really needed them I am sure, but along the way we grow, mature, and goals change. Sometimes we need to stop and sort through things- getting rid of the things that no longer help us achieve the goal before us. We may really enjoy checking Facebook regularly to see what is going on in the lives of others, but if it is keeping us from spending time in God's word or with family, then we need to consider purging that habit. If we have a friend who is negative about things constantly, belittling others for their efforts, purposes it is time to consider spending less time with that person, while praying for them MORE. 

I told you in my last post that my word for the year is "conscious". I guess that I have just been becoming more conscious of what I spend my time doing. I am trying to be more deliberate with the things that I allow to fill my calendar- less time on things like television and computers and more time reading and studying the Bible, praying, and really BEING with those who matter. I think we could all benefit from that!

Five Minute Friday- Connect

This week's word for Five Minute Friday is Connect and it is so appropriate! Ready...... here I go!

Since I have retired I noticed that I spend a lot of my time feeling disjointed and separated from everyone that I typically assoicate with. Even when I am visiting with my teacher friends, I somehow feel like I do not really belong there. I have also noticed that I have lost some of my connection with God. It is because of this that I selected my word for the year- CONSCIOUS.

My goal is to be to more conscious about what I spend my time on, actually being deliberate in my choices. I have set aside time each morning to connect with God through Bible reading. I am participating in a chronological read-through along with several other women on Facebook. I am reading and praying over God's word and trying to allow him to speak to me during this time.

I am also trying to be more conscious when I am with friends and family. I want to really BE PRESENT and connect with them- not just spend time with them. I want our time together to be valuable for both them and me, actually helping to strengthen our personal connections.

Lastly, I am being more conscious about my money. I am working diligently to pay down some of our debt that has accumulated over the years. I will make a little extra money each month by substitute teaching and I am setting that aside to go straight toward some of that debt. I have created a spreadsheet on the computer and I am tracking progress each month in order to help me further be conscious of my progress and to give myself some encouragement. Because I know that I also will want to spend a little, I have made a separate account for my "play" money. This is money that I started saving last year from my crochet and crafting hobby. I am adding to that whenever I make a sale, small though it may be. When the time is right, I plan to reward myself by taking some of that money and using it to redo my craft space, in the hopes that I can be more productive with my hobby and that I can reconnect with my creative side, something that has suffered in the past few years.

I hope to update everyone via this blog on a regular basis and use it to help make me accountable for my personal progress. Please come back and stay in touch. Check in to see how I am doing and give me a pat on the back or a word of chastisement, whichever might be appropriate. I would also love to hear your word for the year, if you choose to share.