At the end of last year, I chose proactive to be "my word" for 2014. My goal was to not be so reactive to everything in life, but become better organized and planning ahead. About a third of the way through the year, life just snowballed, and I think I gave up some. Ok, I gave up quite a lot. Life came along and I realized that most of my life can't be planned in advance. I do the best I can, but sometimes -- just getting dinner out of the freezer before noon is as "proactive" as I can be for a time. I still tried, but after a while, I just spent too much time worrying, "This wasn't how I wanted things to be." So this year, I'm not picking a "Word of the Year."
I'm going to be a rebel and choose FIVE - a phrase to become the base for my 2015.
St. Francis deSales is one of my favorite saints. My favorite teaching is from him, and "Do not look forward in fear" is a phrase I try to live. This year, I'm going to take another of his phrases and try to put it into practice:
I am guilty of saying, "Sure, I can do that!" without thinking through just how much it will take to accomplish. Trying to be all things to everyone means everyone gets neglected at some point, and often tasks truly are left half-done. (You should see my closets!!) Often it's sleep that gets shorted -- but in turn, leaving that half-done means I'm cranky and miserable and not the mom I should be. I'm not sure what I can say no to, but I think this year is going to be learning to be honest. Two things need to happen -- I need to learn to say "That is still a good thing, but I can't give it my full attention because I'm already doing something that needs my focus, so no thank you," to others, but more importantly I will have to learn to say to myself "FINISH the task at hand before wandering off down another rabbit trail!"
Here's to 2015 and learning to Do a few things well.
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Very wise words, Meg.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that you chose a whole phrase - and such a wonderful guiding phrase it is!!! I would do well to ACT upon it, too.
ReplyDeleteThat's a phrase I need to remember too! We have been saying "no" more often for the past 6 months, and it's really starting to help. Today is a pj's-not going anywhere day - hurray!
ReplyDeleteI love this, Meg! It is a good reminder to me as well, especially this year, that I cannot say yes to everything if I want to do the other things justice. May we all "Do things well!'
ReplyDeleteI know I said my word for the year was "simplify," but I think what you wrote really gets at the heart of what I meant! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love those sorts of days. Today was one here, and it was lovely.
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate! I think it's fantastic that you picked a phrase, and it's a great phrase! I pray you have a blessed 2015!
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