27th and It's On...

I've spent the majority of my day wrapped up in dusting, laundry, purging, cleaning, simplifying and organizing.  I've surfed my entire Feedly list and took in all the information I was comfortable with.  I contemplated removing the fa-la-la and packing it all away until next year but I think I'll save that nugget for tomorrow.  Today I read some amazing blog entries.  I logged onto Facebook and read everything from passive-aggressive rants, to full-blown confessionals, pleas for prayers and photos of celebrations and yearly reviews.  It's a roller coaster ride for sure.  I've refereed fights, emptied dishwashers, culled collections, organized blocks, built a shelf unit, read, ate, and mostly looked at a lot of aspects of my life in a new light.

So, it's on right now... it's time to contemplate the word, MY word... for my focus.  My yearly journey with a constant theme... and frankly, it's something that I'm thinking about when I read the entries on several of the Facebook groups I'm in.

... the word echoes in my thoughts, deeds and actions.

... and in the posts and sought after hope from others out there in a land of busy.

... in a land of over-planned and stressed-out.

... in the world where we are so plugged in to the insignificant that we miss the very target which we seek because we are so distracted with the chaos around us...

...with the busy...
...the schedules...
...the technology...
...the demands...
...the kids...
...the sports...
...the lessons...
...the homework...
...the cleaning...
...the volunteering...
...the career...
...the cooking...

You see all of this is a choice.  To BE "busy" is a choice.  To BE "overscheduled" is a choice.  To FEEL "obligated" is a choice.

You see, Pinterest makes it LOOK so easy with all these plans of perfection on how to make everything super over the top incredible (the FIRST TIME wink wink) with this aaaaaahhhhhdorable little printable form.  Unfortunately, life isn't always able to be contained in one neat little printout.

My life?  My life is what happens in between those neat little organized lines of busy... and my word -- it's something I've started doing toward the end of this year already... and I will have to tell you that this fall has probably been one of the best yet... and why?

It's because I chose... I CHOSE to put ME first... and SIMPLIFY.

Similarly, to SIMPLIFY is a choice.

I feel I have chosen well.

The best part is... I have a way to take you all on this journey too... I hope you enjoy getting down in the trenches to help simplify, organize, plan and maintain your lives too... even when consistently choosing to simplify all along the way.

My word, my focus, my direction, my goal for this year is to simplify.  

One Little Word 2014

Every year I choose a theme word to give me something to hold onto during times that may be challenging... or to give me direction on where I think my attention needs to be channeled.

Photo Source

There is a woman who started the whole "One Little Word" movement.  Her name is Ali Edwards (that's her quote above).  For those of you out there who may not be in the scrapbooking world, she's a pioneer in the industry and one that continues to amaze and surprise me.  Mostly, however, she inspires me!

There is a new generation of people out there who have also started a One Word 365 movement.  They are located here.  It's a pretty unique concept in that you are grouped into "tribes" with others who share the same one word journey as you.  It could be quite interesting to see what direction others take with their word.  It could inspire you.

However, without further delay... my word for 2014:  FOCUS

Photo source

I have an incredible amount of energy.  I have an incredible amount of projects.  I have several time-intensive hobbies.  I have a lot I want to learn.  I love Facebook.  I have three children.  I have a husband.  I have a family.  I have three dogs.  I have demands on me, my time, my talents... and sometimes I lose focus.  I'm hoping to use my journey with my word to remind myself sometimes to focus on the task at hand.... other times to focus on what truly matters... and yet other times to focus on what the end result will be.

One Little Word - 2013

Every year I choose a word that is going to be the theme of my year.  I spend some time contemplating this decision.  Sometimes the words come to me.  Otherwise it's a very serendipitous event in how I find my word.  


For me, this year, it's all about a 'moment'.

It could be a good moment... 

... a bad moment

... a sad moment

... a significant moment

... a memorable moment

... a moment worthy of capture

My word this year has many meanings.  It can mean to embrace a particular moment or to live in the moment (something I tend to forget to do.)  It could mean to be intentional with my moments. 

Life is made up of many moments.  I obviously don't have all the answers as to where this word will be relevant in my life.  I do, however, look forward to the experiences I will bring to the table to make this word come alive for me.

Moment.

... I will live in it.  

... My journey

... My word

I will be cataloging this journey through a scrapbook with Ali Edwards.  If you're interested, follow along with her class.  Enjoy your journey!