And my word is...

I've seen more and more recently where, instead of making a New Year's Resolution, people are choosing a word that they will live by for the year.  I've seen some good ones - simplify being one I almost stole!  I thought what a great idea...so started my journey.

I've been thinking (and agonizing a little bit) about what word I would choose to define my 2013.  Really?  One word that would help me model what I wanted the year to be...that's pretty stressful!  Especially when I've already ruled out patience as a contender.  Not to say I don't need to find some, but I'm pretty sure it would be an epic failure of an experiment if I picked that one (case in point:  I've lost my patience with my girls already and we are January 3rd).

So with that one out, I wanted to pick one that would be significant - one that when I thought about it I would remember why I picked it.  One that I could incorporate in some artwork for my walls this year.  So here goes...drumroll please...my word is content.

Content.

The verb and the adjective.  I want to strive this year to feel content; to remember that I live a content life.  Don't get me wrong - there are days that are quite hellish.  Days where I'm pretty sure I will not make it to bed time.  Days where I literally just have to go into a quiet room and get my bearings. 

The thing with knowing that the crappy days exist is that they make me realize that there are really good days too.  Days where I look around and think "Wow...life is pretty good these days".  I'm thinking the key for making this my year of "content" is remembering that the off days shouldn't be the defining moments in my story - that privilege should be saved for the moments that make me giggle or that make my heart swell.  And as long as I can remember that, I think it will be a pretty good year.

So here goes nothing...let's see how the experiment unfolds.  Out with the resolution, in with the word to define my 2013 - content.

Happy New Year!

So 2013 is finally here.  Wish I could say we rung it in with a bang, but truth be told we were all fast asleep by midnight at our house.  We had some good food and a few cocktails with family, but we were all zonked by 10.  So I tucked the girls in and told them I would see them next year.

A new year for me means that I'm looking for my next creative outlet to try.  Usually by New Years Eve I've figured out what I'm going to tackle in the upcoming year, but this year I'm having a hard time deciding.  I may try knitting or crocheting again, or I may tackle sewing.  Or I may  just try a variance on scrapbooking - something like mixed media. 

I decided to give myself a couple of weeks to think about it...can someone please ask me at the end of January what I'm trying so I don't forget to decide?? LOL

As for resolutions, I don't really make them anymore.  I did read on a blog recently that an alternative is picking a word to live by this year.  I think I really like this idea, but I have to seriously consider what that word would be.  I could try "patience" but I have a feeling that I would fail at that one - and who likes to set themselves up to fail??  I'm considering "content" - it would be nice to strive to really feel contentment on a daily basis.  I usually get so caught up in all the things I have to do that I forget to sit back and enjoy what I have.  I'm going to mull it over, but its a strong contender.

Wishing everyone a happy, productive 2013.  I hope whatever you strive for you can tick off as "done" by this time next year!