I’ve noticed how a lot of bloggers select a word to motivate them through the year and as much as I’d admired this, I also never really seemed to have a word to hang onto. But it’s always stuck at the back of my mind as something I’d like to do, if I found one.
Towards the end of last year I felt like 2016 had overloaded me a lot. A lot of what I did as a stay at home mom carried on while I started working (blogging and data capture), and I am not sure how all of it was going to fit together. I did it in the end but I did feel like I was working all the time, while the desk became more messy, the house became more cluttered, and I sat at the computer, prepared all the art for my day job and did what needed to be done.
I felt like my missing piece was a lack of order. If only I could be more organised. If only I could simplify my life. I felt sure that my words for the next year should be Organise and Simplify.
This stayed on my mind in the closing months of 2016. But as the last days rolled by, it was as if God was trying to challenge me in this belief.
My mom gave me a “Woman and Home” magazine for Christmas. (It’s kind of a tradition to sit back and munch chocolates and read magazines at Christmas for us.)
In any case, within this magazine was this article “In praise of an imbalanced life”.
Love this quote from her: The universe tends toward disorder – not all of the time, but in pockets – and doesn’t concern itself with things like “work-life balance”.
She talks about how even a balanced yoga pose requires a certain amount of tension.
Stability …is never possible on a permanent basis.
The only thing we can be certain of is change.
Then in East London I was reading an article in the local paper about messy desks. And how the important stuff always seems to float to the top.
So… I know that 2017 is going to be busy again. I know that I can do my best to sort things out, clean up, label, organise and find a way to make life as manageable as possible.
But there will be times when I don’t get it all done, and other times when I will. And it’s okay. I will get there, eventually.
The word “gentle” entered my mind and stayed there. That I need to be more gentle with myself.
And particularly with the little children in my care. And with Nicky. Not to lose it, but to take a breath and just be gentle. They need it too.
I’ve noticed lately how Nicky will often say the things I say, and it is telling. “You shouldn’t talk to me like that” is something I say to him, but when he says it back to me, it is a chance for me to examine my own behaviour and how I need to be modeling gentle behaviour.
Driving back from holiday we broke our journey in Bloemfontein. The room we were assigned to was… take a guess…. “Gentleness”..
Oh well if that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is!
Gentleness: it’s a fruit of the spirit which I shall be working on.
I like the idea of having a word for the year. It is reminder for us to be the best we can be.
Thanks.
Oh I love your word Heather – somehow I have always in my mind had you tagged as gentle – so it suits you well. Wishing you a gentle year
Thanks so much Cat. 🙂
Which reminds me to take things slowly and decide things as well as actions wisely.
Ah Heather, that’s a really good word for all of us, to remind ourselves to be gentle with our expectations too.
How is your word working out for you, 6 weeks in?
I should write a post actually 🙂
I still lose my temper at times but I think I am being more kind on myself for my failings. (Need time to blog here too!!)
Hi Heather,
Nicholas looks so handsome. Such a fine young man!
I love your word choice. My word for this year is forgiveness. Im learning to forgive other people and most importantly to forgive myself this year. I think it has been my greatest weakness over the years.
May the universe be gentle to you this year. Give my love to your gentle son.