Lightning struck at the beginning of December.
But before we get to that, let’s back up a little….
I’m a resolutions girl in love with fresh starts.
I want to believe that people can change, or maybe it’s more about hoping that I can change.
Regardless, January One begins a new book with 365 shiny white pages itching to get written, 24 hours at a time. We all feel it, don’t we? Even if you loathe the thought of New Year’s resolutions, you know a lot of somethings are gonna happen between now and this time next year – a mélange of good, bad and ugly. Experience tells us a fair amount of life this year will be beyond our control and wishes.
But those aren’t the things I’m thinking about today. I’m interested in paying attention to the things I can effect.
Remember Norman Vincent Peale’s familiar “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars“? I used to love it and I suppose I still agree with the heart of it. But I realized I want to land among stars. I don’t want one moon; I want countless possibilities.
Stars radiate, their countenance is light. The sparkle and gleam of a thousand stars preaches a thousand sermons and reminds me of the strength and power and dominion and majesty and goodness and glory of God.
So I like resolutions even when I don’t keep them. They’re positive energy, the hope for a better future, a mindset of continuous improvement.
I refuse to view unkept resolutions as failures, because even if I follow through only one day, that’s one day more than if I hadn’t done so at all.
To complement resolution-setting, I love the practice of choosing One Word as a banner over a new year, a single word to inspire and motivate and provide a framework for the days to come. And I like it best when One Word comes to me. Last year nothing really settled in my head and heart (not for lack of praying and trying to conjure one up…!); but in 2013 it came by way of a friend’s dream. That one’s effect still lingers.
My 2015 One Word struck like lightning almost a month before the new year. I knew it the way I want to know something so formative, and it’s more about an idea taking hold of me rather than the other way around. That’s when it’s best. It’s charged with meaning both obvious and not, and it’s simply unforgettable because if I find myself needing to remember, why I’ve already remembered…!
Remember. My 2015 One Word and not just because I’m so forgetful.
I want to remember who I am and I need to remember Whose I am.
I want to remember how God sees me–
- incredibly, as His masterpiece
- unbelievably, as His friend
- miraculously, as one holy and blameless, chosen and blessed, forgiven and redeemed
- as one unimaginably loved.
But it’s not just the God-sized things I want to remember, I want need to remember the daily, ordinary things of life–
- the sound of my babies’ cry, their unmistakable footstep, their laugh, scent and voice. Come August, not one will permanently live under my roof again.
- why it’s important, polite and right to reply to calls or texts or emails. Every one (spam email aside).
- the Golden Rule. I sincerely want to remember at all times and in every instance how to love people well by treating them without regard to position, to be completely focused on the person right in front of me.
- that my phone is a convenience tool, not a necessary interruption, especially when I’m with friends and family.
I want to remember the delightful side of blogging, the thrill of writing in the zone, why I prefer excellence over perfection. I want to remember to write more letters, to listen well and to always stay current with those I love.
And I hope to always remember where I park my car and lay down my keys. <– These two are a little iffy.
It’s impossible to remember all the things I want (and need) to remember.
A phrase hit me about the same way as my One Word – Bam! I’m calling it my 2015 Motto…which immediately makes me think of The Lion King, when Timon and Pumba first sing Hakuna Matata, right at the 1:24 mark. I’m high brow like that.
You can already see what it is in my graphic above…tomorrow I’ll share why it is. In the meantime, enjoy Timon and Pumba for a hint of what’s to come…while Hakuna Matata isn’t my 2015 Motto, it certainly aligns with it….
Your turn: Do you have a One Word, motto or resolutions for 2015?
DO share your intentions for the new year!
Robin, in the best way possible, this is so YOU. I think you’re one of the best of my friends that really does remember stuff. You text, you vox, you recall previous discussions with remarkable accuracy. I love that about you, and you spur me on to betterment in this department.
Great choice in a word! I was eager to read yours ever since I saw you had it down by, like, November. That was impressive. 😉
Tsh,
Well, too often I remember things that don’t matter and can’t for the life of me recall things I WANT to. Oh, bother. 🙂 And isn’t this funny: I can’t remember exactly what I was thinking when I KNEW it was “supposed” to be my word for 2015; I DO know it was wanting so badly to remember things about my children, and realizing Stephen was graduating high school in May.
You have MUCH to remember this year, friend; it will be a blur all too soon. You need to get a One Line a Day to help you out!! (I’m gonna go add that to my post–why I didn’t think of it in the first place is beyond me…)
Amen to what Tsh said! While reading this post I picked up my phone and hello!—I had a Vox from you. And that thing you mentioned—”I sincerely want to remember at all times and in every instance how to love people well by treating them without regard to position, to be completely focused on the person right in front of me”—honey, you are the best at that.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you’re driving through all the Atlanta traffic and reading with me at my book launch party next month. George Clooney did a wonderful thing all those years ago when he brought the two of us together. 😉
My word is Constancy. With one of our daughters getting married this summer and moving out of our house (with her 2 teenage sons, leaving us with an empty nest), with my mother-in-law having radiation for breast cancer, with the probability of going back to court to settle some issues with my divorce {which I *thought* was final way back in the 1990s} and ongoing health issues and not-so-fun treatments in my near future and ongoing family business turning into monkey business (and this is just the stuff I already know about in early January)…I need to remember (what a great word, remember!) God’s constancy. And aspire to be a woman of constancy in the face of stress and the general craziness which seems to be gaining on me daily. Constancy and coffee 🙂
Oh, Mollianne…
Gracious, friend. That’s a LOT. But what a beautiful word to serve as a banner over you this year; it makes me think of God as “an ever-present help in times of trouble” from Psalm 46. For that to be your goal going in to a year sure to tax you, it seems a wise and important choice to hold fast to :).
And coffee is kinda important, too ;).
You know I had to at least chuckle a little bit at your word, right? Because I am so terrible at remembering pretty much everything. 🙂 It’s the getting older thing . . .
Anyway, beautiful post. Loved it and I’ll look forward to more of your rememberings this year.
My One Word post is scheduled for tomorrow, so pop over and see what it is!
Shelly,
As long as you’re laughing with me, it’s all good. Heck…I don’t mind if you’re laughing AT me if I’ve earned it ;). “Remembering” sure ain’t a sexy One Word, but it’s FULL and all-encompassing and a lot of things I need it to be.
I’m wildly curious what YOUR word is, so I’ll be off to check it out shortly….!!
xo
I love your word. I laughed at the car part. I am always looking for mine. My word for this year is awaken.
Tammy–more laughter!! Yes! Laughing is my favorite :).
Awaken…intriguing. I’ll have to blog hop today to read all the backstories for words people are choosing (presuming you’ve written about it….).
Robin,
This is so you, girl! You seem to love life and live it enthusiastically!!
My one word for 2015 is actually 2 words: Peace and contentment. Last year was crazy with my aging father’s health issues, job issues, etc. I want more peace and tranquility in life. I also want contentment in my job.
Remember would also be a good word for me as I am getting terrible at remembering even my co-workers names! It’s the whole aging crap and to much stress!!
Blessings 🙂
Beth,
Yeah…I could have had half a dozen words this year. Funny, but last year nothing seemed to fit but this year several words were flirting with me. “Remember” body slammed me, though, so I had to go with her :).
Peace & tranquility are sisters, aren’t they? Given what you experienced previously, they sound like perfect pursuits.
And, yeah…remembering names to go w/faces…ugh! Having moved fairly recently EVERYONE is new to me, so there’s a TON of remembering to do. Oy. If only practice made perfect… 😉
Hi Beth,
I finally claimed my One Word on Friday, Peace. I was debating between peace and serenity and used a bunch of tools as I wrestled with my choice.
It sounds like we had similar years in 2014. I have aging parent issues, and had to move my folks into assisted living last year, and less than a month in, my Dad went into the hospital. He passed away on March 15th and we moved my Mom back to her house, the family home.
I am also having some challenges at work, and want to ride on the wings of peace, trying to be unruffled.
Blessings to you,
Kim
Kim,
Prayers for you and your family! It is never easy dealing with aging parents. I lost my mother in 2009 from chronic brain bleeds. I watched for 2 years as the dementia took her from us. Now I’m sensing the same thing with my dad.
Prayers for a better year for you with your mother. May God bless you this year with your work challenges. Prayers for peace for us both.
God Bless 🙂
I read this post before it slid quietly into my inbox. Then I read it again. This: “need to remember the daily, ordinary things of life–” YES!! Friend, you are such a gift to me. You have NO IDEA!! Several months ago in a conversation you said you wanted to love well the person in front of you…I have embraced that or at least tried to…and I want to embrace this remembering business. You are a wise woman, Robin Dance, and I love you!!
Mary!!
I REMEMBER that conversation, too; I’ll have to give a shout out to Laura Parker for slipping that idea into my heart, it’s been a desire of mine ever since she spoke those words. Sometimes I’ve had to consciously remind myself in the middle of a conversation to FOCUS–love well! Pay attention. Ignore distractions! Because I so want to be a person who listens well and HEARS not only what you are saying…but what you aren’t. Lord, PLEASE?!
Do you have a word for this year?
You’ve been an incredible encouragement to me this morning, friend. Thank you. Love and miss you. xo
Well, for those of us at a certain time of life (ahem), remembering gets to be more and more important! 🙂 My word for the year is FOCUS and it chose me because I would never have chosen it for myself. I like the feeling of having my finger in so many pies at once and enjoy having the reputation of being a bit scattered. But even I realize that I need to focus on the things that matter most to me and let the rest go. And that if I focus on the task at hand I won’t do a slapdash job of it. And that focusing on my children and my husband when they are telling me about their day can only improve my relationships. I’m so easily distracted that it’s ridiculous, so this will be a challenge.
I love your word REMEMBER and personally I would have totally gone with an additional Lion King reference for the word itself – the part where Simba sees his father in the clouds and is told, “Remember who you are”. And then of course, “Let It Go” has its own whole song. 🙂
Now I think I need a theme song….
Kim…3 things:
1) An appropriate use of the word “slapdash” wins you points with me. I shall give you 7.
2) WHY DIDN’T I REMEMBER THAT REFERENCE, TOO (LION KING)? I mean, my brain was already on Lion King #whatsamotto?
3) Squirrel!
4) Ok…four things. Focus is a GREAT word for all those reasons you’ve shared; I like how you resisted it but it was insistent :). Let me know if you discover a theme song…. 😉
Honestly, my One Word has me shaking in my boots. It’s prophetess, and while it’s sexy as all get out, it’s not the word I would have chosen. At all. Ever.
Oh, dear, Jeniffer…that can mean so many things! What will it mean for YOU???
So far, it’s continuing in obedience (my word from 2013), especially in the ways where I’m led to encourage and build up the Body. I’m actually blogging again, a year and a half after I left the blog I shared with my sister-in-law. And it’s being really, really brave and trusting that the Spirit is directing each and every one of my steps.
Love your perspective, Robin!!
“I refuse to view unkept resolutions as failures, because even if I follow through only one day, that’s one day more than if I hadn’t done so at all.”
THIS really speaks to me, as I’ve reached a place in my life where I quit before I ever start. It’s left me with a defeated attitude, never even beginning because I know I’ll fail, I know I’ll quit, so why even bother? It’s a horrible place to live, and while I’m not sure how I landed here, I know that I don’t want to live here any longer.
My word this year is Intentional. The subtitle would be Choose Well. When I read through my journal for last year, I found there was almost no change in the past year; that I’d taken the path of least resistance which merely circled back to where I had been a year earlier. It was little sad to see no growth or progress. So this year I want to be more mindful, more purposeful about how I spend my life. It’s all about the small choices throughout each day and knowing that I CAN choose differently; I can choose well.
Dianne…this…is…beautiful, friend. Man, I can feel your heart in it and I hope it doesn’t sound condescending to say I’m PROUD of you! To reflect inward without naval-gazing to the point of paralysis, to be able to see the kind of changes you want to make based on history, all of it speaks to a maturing work in your life. So lovely.
I, too, believe you can choose well with great intention! You’ve already begun that process by speaking it! I can’t wait for you to reach this time next year, look back in your journal and see how much growth and progress you’ve made!! I’m cheering you from the sidelines!! <3
Oh I love this, Robin! What a great word! My OneWord came looking for me around late November as well… it is Wonder and oh my goodness, I can’t wait to see how it keeps showing up for me (and hopefully, through me) this year! I also spend New Years Day praying and listening for a word or phrase… a bit of prophetic whisperings, if you will. Last year, it was “The Maternal Heart of God” and how we so needed that in 2014! This year, “New Discoveries” (which goes nicely with my OneWord, actually!)
Karrilee!!!
J’adore “wonder”!!!! Really, truly, it’s a favorite word of mine and thing to do :). Oh, how we need to view the world with great wonder–it changes everything to see beyond the surface, doesn’t it?? It WILL be a fun one to navigate this year…and you’re such an encouraging one I bet you’ll be blessed time and time again.
Hmmm…new discoveries…THAT will be a game-changer, too. I’m a firm believer that we find what we seek, and if you’re on the lookout, the new things you discover will be all around. Love ’em.
What a wonderful intention to hold, Robin, and it hits home for me! I’ve notified my friends & family that any question they ask me that begins with, “You remember that …?” is pretty much doomed: my answer will be a blank look of “not so much.” Sigh–my memory has never been my strong suit.
For 2015 I’m all about the word (and attitude of) CURIOSITY, which I’m hoping will help my memory struggles. (I think your “Listen well” and “Stay current” are ways of expressing curiosity!) It brings presence & fresh inspiration to even the most mundane of activities — a boon for parents, for sure.
Some thoughts on that here: http://www.mothering.com/articles/simple-new-years-resolution/
Wishing you & your community a meaningful, uplifted 2015!!
Marcy Axness
author, “Parenting for Peace: Raising the Next Generation of Peacemakers”
Marcy,
I LOVE IT!! To remain curious is to capture youth!! Not the wishful thinking of being a 20-something again (wait…are you a 20 something??) but maintaining a free spirit and openness to discovery and wonder. J’adore! J’adore!
I recall things that don’t make sense to me; why I can remember some things and totally blank out on others is beyond me. Sooo…maybe greater intention will help :). Have your tab pulled up and will read soon :).
This year I want to be “BRAVE.” Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (ESV)
Have you read Annie Downs’ book? 🙂 I could loan you my copy!!
Trust – because I don’t do it enough…
So much easier said than done… 🙂
My word for this year is transform. I want to truly be transformed by Jesus. I am tired of appearing on the outside to be transformed. I am tired of trying to earn approval and do all the right things without being touched on the inside. Lord make me a new creation.
Oh, Amber…that could be my word for the reasons you’ve listed, at least to some degree. I think you’ve already begun that transformation, but purposing in your heart to do so. Be strong and courageous…this WILL be a battle!
Mine and hubby’s word for the year should be transform also. We need to transform our lives both spiritually and physically!
My word is thankful. 🙂
CLEAR is my word for 2015. I need to CLEAR 30 lbs, I need to CLEAR my head and calendar of too many projects, I need to CLEAR my craft room (at least organize it! I love CLEAR boxes, bags, sacks… well, you can see how CLEAR… is my word.
My word for 2015 is listen. I don’t want to overlook things, forget things and most of all lose things…whether tangible or not. I have spent too many years hearing but not listening.
Thanks for sharing your word, Robin!
Remember. Hmmm….. I hope your year is full of lots of good remembering!
My Word for the Year is DESIRE.
I am a recovering divorcee, five years out (after a 25 year marriage). Every year has brought new changes and challenges. Having worked through a year named “Disengage” and another named “Fear,” I’m now focusing on desire. I’m creative and pollyanna and energetic … and I’ve spent my adult life feeling like I am “too much.” I’ve also spent my adult life trying to fit in, calm down and be still – in other words, HIDE myself.
I’m tired of hiding.
God built me the way I am.
WHY am I still trying to be someone I’m not?
I want to figure out what I really desire
and what God desires in me and from me.
So, my word is DESIRE! whoohoo!
Robin, I love this. Your exuberance is inspiring, as is your zest for the good life and kind heart. So hoping to continue getting to know you, friend! Love your word for 2015 – it seems to naturally stem from what you began last year. Looking forward to seeing where it takes you! {and since you asked, I just shared my word today, and it’s EMBRACE.}