Note to Self:
One little word is much easier to focus on than a list of resolutions . . .
A few years ago I cam across a blog post by Ali Edwards about One Little Word.
"A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow. From my own personal experience, it can be a catalyst for enriching your life. In 2006, I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January--a word that I can focus on, meditate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. My words have included play, peace, vitality, nurture, story, light and up. These words have each become a part of my life in one way or another. They've been embedded into who I am, and into who I'm becoming. They've been what I've needed (and didn't know I needed). They've helped me to breathe deeper, to see clearer and to grow." - Ali Edwards
I gave it a shot back in 2013 with the word 'courage' and it was an amazing experience. (Read more about it here: http://notetoselfcollection.blogspot.com/2013/12/courage.html)
Then in 2014 I chose to focus on the word 'commit.' It turns out that I didn't write about my experiences with that word . . . at least not on the blog. But that did turn out to be the year I made the biggest commitment of my life when I married my sweet husband.
Last year got away from me (who knew marriage was such an adventure?)! So no little word followed me around in 2015.
This year, though, I want to start it up again. I am a few days into 2016 already, but it took me a while to decide on my word for this year. I started with words like 'adventure' and 'inspire'. . . even thinking of words like 'challenge' and 'positive.' Eventually, though, I decided that the one that stuck out the most is:
Believe is such a beautiful word and I am so excited to focus on it throughout 2016.
As I've learned in only the two years that I've chosen one little word, I have only the tiniest idea what this word could mean for me this year. I know that as I ponder and reflect on this word, it will become a part of my life in more ways than I could count.
As of now, though, I will share the ideas I have for this word. To believe means to 'accept as true' and that is so powerful to me because if something is true it is a fact. The concept seems simple and obvious . . . but I think it's amazing. This year I want to focus on this.
I want this to be the year I believe in myself and my potential. The saying goes: if you believe in yourself, you're halfway there. I believe it's more than halfway . . . possibly as much as 70/30. Our thoughts and beliefs are so powerful. If you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything you work towards. I know that is true. Because I believe that our God would not make anything impossible for us. That being said, I also believe that He would make things impossible for us to do alone, without Him. Part of the reason we are here on this earth is to learn to turn towards God in all things. On that note, I want this to also be the year that I truly believe in God in all ways: believe that he has the upper hand, believe in his plan for me and my family, believe that he is all-knowing, believe that he wants me to succeed and will help me to do so.
I have a lot of big things coming in 2016. The thought of all of them brings my anxiety right to the surface. What helps me to get through it is to believe in myself and believe in God.
As I said, I'm sure I have only the smallest idea of what 'believe' will mean to me by the end of 2016 . . . but I do know that this is the word I am supposed to focus on this year. I know that it will get me through the hard times and over the hills that I will have to climb.
Have you ever done One Little word? Would you like to join me this year? I'd love to hear what your words are and your experiences with them!
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