Monday, January 3, 2011

A New Year--something to dread or eagerly anticipate????

I used to always hate January 1. There was something about a new year that terrified me. If I made it through the previous year primarily unscathed, I felt there just had to be something ominous lurking in the year to come, and I was not eager to meet it.

And to be truthful, we have had some difficult years.

We have also had some very good ones.

But either way, I am beginning to learn to view the start of a new year as an opportunity for growth, expansion, and adventure, rather than a potential carrier of bad news.

This coming year already holds promise of good things. We are expecting a new grandbaby in a couple weeks and another in late summer. Those events are certainly happy ones to look forward to. Also, Kristen graduates from college in April, and if all goes according to schedule, Ryan should graduate in December. Now, that is exciting!

And so after reading many blogs about goals/plans/resolutions and words for the year, I have decided to select my own word for 2011.

It is LIVE.

One of my favorite movies is Ever After, (I have always been a sucker for Cinderella), and one of my favorite lines from the movie is when the queen says, “The important thing, is that she lived”. I love that! When I die and return to Heaven, I want to feel that my time on earth was not wasted, that while I was here I truly lived.

So I am going to "live" this year. Which to me means . . .

L. I am going to learn new things, go new places, meet new people, develop new skills, and hopefully learn how to use my new computer and get better use out of the camera I got last year.

I . I am going to incorporate a healthy and active lifestyle.

V. I am going to value the important relationships in my life—beginning with my husband, my children, friends, those I serve in church callings and people in need.

E. I will exercise faith. I will read, pray, study, and face whatever challenges this new year may bring, with courage and trust in my Heavenly Father.

And so when this year dwindles to an end, I want to be able to say that I truly, deeply, and courageously . . . lived.

Best wishes to you all on a very happy new year!!

9 comments:

MissKris said...

I LOVE this! I know that you wanted to LIVE, but I didn't know about the Ever After roots. So perfect.
And you inspired me- I'm going to go turn Ever After on right now. :) Thanks for getting it for me for Christmas :)

Momza said...

This should be part of a RS lesson somewhere. We had a FHE tonight on
New Years Plans--about making 2011
The Year of Joy...focusing on doing what makes us truly joyful. It went over well actually. Noone left the room in a huff or sat pouting. Total success, I tell you!
I'm so glad you're blogging again. When you and Marilyn aren't bloggin, I feel like a fish outta water. It just ain't right. So stay put. Please.

Rebecca Irvine said...

Great word choice for the year! I have thought about words to describe the year for myself but have not been able to select one--I like that you are able to incorporate 4 words in one.

Happy New Year!

PS, It's great to have you back.

Susan Anderson said...

Sounds like a great plan to me!

=)

Heidi said...

This is lovely. And I am a sucker for Cinderella too. And I love the movie Ever After, also. Hugs!

Neil and Meredith Larson said...

wait a minute is Camille pregnant??

Jenny-Jenny said...

You put my thoughts into words. Ever After may be my favorite version of Cinderella. That will definitely be my mantra for 2011. LIVE and of course find joy in the journey.

CB said...

What a fantastic post! I love your word for the year - LIVE!!! The Cinderella quote is great - it reminds me of my favorite quote by Marjorie Hinckley which talks about how "she really lived!".

Congratulations on new grandbabies on the way - Now that I am one of those people expecting a grandchild too it is so exciting - I feel like we are all in some wonderful, special club where we get to expect a wonderful gift in our lives!

It sounds like you are going to have a wonderful year!

LeAnn said...

Loved the ideas. I hope it is ok to copy them and put them into my goals. I love the line from the movie. I loved the movie and have watched it several time.
Your post uplifted me today; thanks for sharing.
I am also excited about you having two more grandchildren coming. What a blessing.
Blessings to you ! LeAnn