2012: My Four Words

It's only 11 days into the new year, but I've had a lot on my mind already in regards to forward motion and what that looks like for me, personally in 2012. I suppose a new year is as good of a time as any to take stock, if it were. This year for me that means looking inward more than outward. It's more of an honest glimpse into my heart,  than a look at my outward, tangible life.

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, SheLovesMagazine, which is made of up many different contributors, and each person shared one word as their personal goal for 2012. One word. Keeping things simple- I like that! Words like Repair, Delve, Rest, Fulfillment, etc. Maybe it's cheesy, but it resonated with me. It's deeply personal and honest to just sum things up in one word. That one word can become a balance, a measure, a filter, a springboard for the year. So I've been thinking a lot and praying a little too, and choosing MY one word.

...Then again, consider the source. I couldnt pick JUST ONE word! I mean, come on, let's all be real here. :) I never claimed that I wasn't wordy! I picked 4 words. Deal with it.

(1)

-CONTENT-

1 Timothy 6:6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

This year I am making a conscious decision to be content. Because I do think that it often is simply a choice.

I am going to be content with my age and my body.

Sure, I'd like to lose ten pounds, and sure, I wish I had thick gorgeous flowing hair. Being content doesn't mean I must be stagnant. I will work on those ten pounds. But I will not obsess over my physical appearance. It is part of me. But it is not the most important thing.

I will be content with my finances.

 I will not try to keep up with the Jones'. I will not constantly wish for more. I will be thrilled to wake up in my new home and make coffee in my new kitchen every day. I will be happy to drive my car. I will be thankful for how much or how little each month affords us. I will not live beyond our means. I will be stoked for a free vacation to Italy in the spring!!!

I will  be content with my time.

 We all get the same 24 hour allotment. 

I will be content with my children and my husband

. After all, they are my whole heart divided into 3 people. I will appreciate them for who they are.

I will be content with my talents. 

I will be content with my responsibilities.

 They are mine for a reason. Which brings me to my second word:

(2)

-INVESTED-

Many of my responsibilites are close to home. In fact, they have become my home. This does not mean that I lead a small, inconsequential life.  Actually on some days, the gravity of my responsibility scares the doo-doo out of me! Together with my husband, I am raising my two children. No big deal, right? Just ya know, gotta make sure they grow up to be decent humans with good hearts! Yikes.

 I am making the home we live in a safe and happy and nurturing place to be.  I love what I do. I feel that I can say that honestly. Not every moment of every day, but generally speaking I love what I do.

 Although- I think loving what I do is not the only important component. I also have a respect for what I do. Which I'd venture to say is not a popular opinion anymore. Often people view wives and mothers who don't work outside of the home as somehow inferior. As if it must mean they lack the ambition or the skill to do other things. At the risk of sounding grand, lofty, or obnoxious, I will say that at this time in my life, I view motherhood and homemaking as a calling. Does this make me special or more "called" that someone else? No, of course not. Does it mean that I think all women are called to stay home? No, I do not think that at all.  Does this mean that I do nothing but wipe noses and bums, cook meals, clean floors, etc etc etc? GAH!  NO! My life is full of other things and other people. But it does mean that I value my role.

 The less you love something, the more unlovely it becomes. So I am choosing to be INVESTED in my home, my children, and my husband. I will not view the sibling disagreements, the dramatic 4 year old teary displays of emotion, the conversation interruptions, etc. as an obstacle in MY day. Something to move past. I will view it as a chance to give of myself freely. To cheerfully meet the need that is in front of me. Because the more I give of myself, the more I get back. Especially with my tiny tenders! The more I pour into their little hearts, the more they fill mine right back up. And on that note, I think the same theory applies to marriage. The more I give of myself, the more I get back...But that is another thought for another day.

In the end, however low it might rank in other people's opinion of importance, it ranks high in mine. It is important to me. So I will be INVESTED in my home and my family. 

There are two more words I've pondered and chosen as my theme for 2012 but Im going to share them  next time. If you had to choose ONE word, (or four!) what would it be?