The past four years I have picked a word to kind of guide me through my year. A word to focus on. A word to maybe even learn from. In 2010 I chose the word Rest, in 2011 the word was Time. I got really ambitious in 2012 and 2013 and chose the words Simplify and Accomplish. In my case, these words were all meant to be positive reinforcements, motivators, inspiration if you will.
As 2013 was drawing to a close I got to thinking about a word for 2014, and also thought about the words I'd previously chosen. I see all those words as good habits to develop, but I think what stopped me from being as successful as I'd hoped to be was the discouragement that would come when I didn't "do" as well as I had hoped. Rolling all those words together...I could say something like: "I tried to accomplish a lot in my efforts to simplify my life. There was never enough time to get things done, but I kept trying so adequate rest never really happened".
I kept trying to make improvements by "putting on" new, good habits.
But I neglected to identify habits that needed to be "put off". Habits that drain my
energy, clutter my life. Habits that waste my time, and wear me out.
energy, clutter my life. Habits that waste my time, and wear me out.
Well, last week I was reading a couple of my favorite blogs, Life in Grace and Nesting Place. They, along with a couple of their friends, were choosing UN-WORDS this year.
Here's how one of them described what they're doing.
"I love the popularity of claiming a word for the year.
This year I’m joining up with three friends (& hopefully you will join us) in
declaring a word that we ARE NOT.
An UNword.
The UN-word is a word that you are rejecting for the new year.
You would like to Un-Do it."
I think this is just what I need this year. I need to reject a word!
Specifically, I need to reject "WASTEFUL". I want to declare that I am not wasteful! I want to "Un-Do" wastefulness in my life!!! No more wasting my time, my space, my energy. No more wasting my intentions, my knowledge, my gifts, my stuff, or my dreams. I don't want to waste a moment...
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because
the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Ephesians 5:15-17
The cute little house is an Etsy purchase from last year.
It's tiny...that's a bar of soap in the background of a couple of those photos.
I purchased it from The Cherry Heart shop.
It's tiny...that's a bar of soap in the background of a couple of those photos.
I purchased it from The Cherry Heart shop.
7 comments:
Well that's a cool idea. Kind of like saying I'm already pretty perfect I just need to get rid of those few bad habits one word at a time :)
This sounds like a good plan, Marie. I think any if these exercises are good if they make you think....think about how you are living your life and take some steps to be more intentional. I think that this year, I will be using my "word" decide, every day and stop putting things off.
Good luck to you!
xoxo
Joyce
That is a neat concept. Good luck with the next year. Hope you are successful in not being wasteful.
Such a great concept. I guess I am behind. I have never picked a word for the year and this year I am working hard to simplify. Going to follow your link and see what I can learn.
So nice visiting with you this evening, Marie! :)
I think that's a great idea and I like your "un" word of the year!
Thanks for commenting on my blog. I used clear Briwax on my cabinet piece. It's what I had on hand and it did a nice job on the finish.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Jane
What a wonderful idea! You know, I took up your idea of the word of the year last year? My word was Clarity for 2013. And I thought of one for this coming year too: my 2014 word is Voice. To speak up in many different ways and not withdraw into silence and passiveness. I like your unword too. But Marie, you don't seem like a wasteful person at all. You are a role model for making good use of your time and resources.
What a great un-word. I could certainly be more un-wasteful.
I love your cute little house. I didn't realize how small it was until you mentioned the bar of soap in the pictures.
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