One word for 2010 - great idea!

I came across a really good idea the other day from a blog that I check regularly and I wanted to share it because it has already helped me start off this new year with a goal. A good goal that I'm excited about.

The idea is to come up with one word for yourself to focus on throughout the entire year. Here is her explanation...

I am a fan of welcoming the new year with open arms. I love fresh starts, new opportunities, clean slates, possibilities.

Back in January 2007, as a way to celebrate these beginnings, I started a public tradition of choosing a single word to focus on over the course of the year.

Many of you are familiar with this tradition and have been joining me in selecting a new word each year. If this is your first time reading about the idea of one little word I recommend taking a few minutes to read my original post here.

Here's a look at my words from the past three years with links to the original posts.

2007 : Peace [ read my post for 2007 ]
2008 : Vitality [ read my post for 2008 ]
2009 : Nurture [ read my post for 2009 ]

Essentially the idea is to choose a word (or let it choose you) that has the potential to make an impact on your life.

Maybe you want to invite something or maybe you are hoping to subtract something. Maybe your word will be practical or hopeful or creative or fanciful. Maybe you need a big word, something in-your-face that will challenge you everyday. Maybe you need something smaller and quieter that will whisper gentle tidings as you make your way throughout the year.

Whatever word you end up with, make sure it is your word (not your sister's, mom's, partner's, child's, etc). You can share it publicly or keep it close to your heart.

My word for 2010 is STORY.

I'm planning to do a post with more details on my thoughts about this word on Wednesday (look for the finishing pages of my December Daily tomorrow). I am hoping to use my word as a springboard for a variety of different projects and inspirations, in my life and my scrapbooking, over the next 365 days.

Have you chosen your word yet?

She has since posted her whole story about her "One little word" for 2010 and I encourage you to check it out. http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/12/my-one-little-word-story.html

My one little word for 2010 is COMMITMENT.

This last year was a big year for me and my family and starting this new year with goals in mind has helped me a lot. After reading Ali's blog several different words went through my mind, but as I was starting in on something else my word came to me. And the more I thought about it the more firm and settled I became about it. Personally I am doing a lot right now, as we all are, as women we have sooo much going on and so many things we want to do and get done and sometimes I find myself wishing I could have done a certain something better or get something done that I've been working on for a long time. And over the past few days I narrowed my focus down to a few directions I want to take myself this year.

First: I want to commit myself to going to the temple more regularly and I've set a goal for us to go once a month. We were doing that quite well in the beginning of last year, but have let it slip, so my "action" for this has been to write "temple" on one Saturday in each month on my calendar. It's there, I can see it, I am reminded. As members of the church we are asked to go to the temple. We can learn so much, receive so many blessings, receive personal revelation, be in a place so sacred, and do the work for those who are unable. With that in mind I wish I could go today! It's a beautiful place the temple. I have also put my temple reccomend in my wallet. So I can see it. There is nothing better then a visual reminder. And I can also take note of when to get it renewed!

Second: I once had a professor on college tell us that she was "the queen of unfinished projects". And I think I am becoming her predecessor. I have photo albums of the kids, quilts, Christmas projects, house projects, and clothes I'd like to make for the girls that I all nicely organized and ready to be worked on, but they are not getting finished! They are projects that I want to get done, but life happens and there they sit. So. My goal is to get all my unfinished projects DONE this year. I have all year right! Yes. And I have already has success in this area. I finished my Christmas advent calendar while I was at my parents house! It has been unfinished for 9 years and we've been using it every year, but every Christmas when I get it out and hang it up I always grumbled that I hadn't finished it yet. No more! It's done, completed and reay to be packed away with the other Christmas decor. It felt so good getting that done and I am ready to tackle the next project. It's important to have "action" with your word. DO something with it on a regular basis.

Third: My beautiful children. I have three and I am so blessed to have them. So I want to commit myself to being more for them. Not just cleaning them and feeding them, but doing more with them. Read with them--play with them when they ask me to. Provide better teaching opportunities--meaning helping them on regular scheduled basis of things they are learning at school or extra things they are involved in like soccer, reading, painting, gymnastics, piano. I want to be a resource for them and I want them to know that they can come to me for help and more importantly that I will stop and help them with it. And if I can't right that second then explain and follow through. They only grow up once.

So those are my three main areas of focus for me this year. I do have other directions, like my calling in the Primary, Visiting teaching, friendships, etc. So I encourage and challenge you to come up with your own little word for 2010. It's the perfect time to do it. I my word on my desktop. Again--visual reminders.