As the year is winding down, I am in full “evaluate and plan” mode. I mentioned earlier this week (read more here) that a friend encouraged me to think and pray about choosing a “Word of the Year” to give me a focus for the next 365 days. Last year’s word was “more”, which was a very apt description of our lives the past year.
As I have contemplated the word for 2014, several ideas have come up, but one word is consistently highlighted:
To “align” means to arrange items so that they are in the right order or to change something so that it agrees or matches something else. It means to bring the parts of something into proper position in relation to each other, to line things up or put them in proper sequence.
When your vehicle tires are out of alignment, your car pulls to one side rather than driving straight and your tires wear unevenly. When your spine is out of alignment, you experience discomfort and even pain.
When your life is out of alignment, well… you experience stress. Things are out of balance. Areas of your life which are actually less important to you receive more time, attention and energy.
In the whirlwind of 2013 for our family, my life has definitely been pulled out of alignment. We experienced so much change and so much activity that I was basically in survival mode for most of the year. Many areas of my life became unbalanced. I neglected to take care of myself and my family, and I even allowed my relationship with God to suffer.
So for 2014, I will endeavor to line up my life and the way I spend my time with my true priorities:
1. My relationship and spiritual connection with God;
2. My basic physical, emotional and spiritual needs (adequate sleep, staying hydrated, daily exercise, time in nature, quite time to pray, art journaling, listening to worship music);
3. My relationship with my husband;
4. My relationship with my children;
5. My home responsibilities;
6. My blog/business.
If I say that these are my priorities, then I need to actually live as if they are my priorities. My time needs to be spent on what I believe is most important.
As a side note, many people will tell you that your priorities should be God, marriage, children and then self, but I have found that I cannot take care of others around me unless I take care of myself first. When I allow myself to become run down, I am far less loving and kind to those around me, and I am unable to fulfill my responsibilities.
So what’s your Word of the Year for 2014? Leave a comment. 🙂
If you are also in planning mode, I have some resources that will help on my Organize Page here . My favorites are the One Year Planner, the Goal and Action Planner and the Life Inspiration Board.
I think my word is Believe. Believe in the Lord your God, believe what he has to say about me. Believe that nothing is impossible for the Lord.
Believe that He is there for me and will never leave me. Believe he has great and wonderful plans for my life. Believe he holds me in his right hand.
Yes, Merry! All very good things to remind ourselves of regularly. 🙂
I read your post on this last year and when I saw it again this year I knew I wanted to participate. My year last year was filled with anxiety and stress from a difficult work situation. God did deliver me from it and has blessed me beyond what I thought possible with a new job and wonderful support from family and friends. Looking back on last year I feel that although I was in an overwhelming place I let my anxiety keep me from enjoying the blessings that were also a part of my everyday life. I was constantly focused on living for and dwelling on how great things would be if God answered my prayers. I am greatful that he did, but also attentive to not let myself continue to dwell in that “future” mindset. My word for 2014 is EMBRACE. I can still look forward to exciting upcoming events but I do not want to overlook my present blessings or relationships. I want to embrace where God has placed me right now, be thankful for it, appreciate the joy in it, and be joyful in him. There will always be new and “better” things or things we hope will improve, but it would be sad to miss embracing and appreciating all that we do have because we are distracted.
That is a great word Heidi, and a concept we could all benefit from.
My word is free.
There is incredible freedom in Christ, and I haven’t acknowledged that.
I blogged about it here!
http://emilyfridenmaker.blogspot.com/2014/01/2014-free.html
Thanks for sharing your blog post Emily!
I chose three words to keep me motivated: productive.peaceful.powerful. Hoping to achieve great success at work and at home, to have peaceful relationships and become more powerful through running and yoga.
It can be your 2014 “phrase” and I can see you saying it over and over to yourself: “Productive. Peaceful. Powerful.”. It’s going to be a great year for you Rachel.
My word: Now. I am a procrastinator. While I spend time on my computer or reading or staring into space, I tell myself, “I’ll do (that other thing) tomorrow,” and at the end of every day, I am unhappy with myself because I have been so unproductive when there were so many things I could have accomplished.
I can totally relate to the procrastination problem Charlie. It has really helped me to make a list the night before of the top five things that need to be done the next day.
My word is faith. I am always worrying about money and how we are going to pay the bills. My husband has the faith of a child and he amazes me. As time passes I always see that God has provided for us. All of my worry and complaining gets me no where.
I know exactly what you mean about worrying Kathie. I tend to worry more than my husband, but it’s like you said, worrying doesn’t accomplish anything. Here’s to a faith-filled 2014!
My word is TRUST. To trust in the Lord God to help me in each area of my life. To trust Him to bring me into the dreams He has given. To trust Him to help my daughter to open her wings and fly out into the world on her own. To trust Him in restoration of broken relationships, stolen promises, and many other things.
You can never go wrong trusting God Shana!
My word is open. To open my heart and mind. To be more open with people. To be more open to life and opportunities. To try new things. Have more fun. Enjoy life instead of stress about it.
Great word Amy. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us. 🙂
My word of the year is “hope” and the Spanish equivalent “esperanza”. Your post inspired me to write on my own blog about the word I’ve chosen. You can find it here to read more:
http://providenceplace-harriette.blogspot.ca/2013/12/theme-for-2014-hopeesperanza.html
Love it Harriette! Thanks for sharing that with us.
I have thought this over for the past few days and thought it was a wonderful idea. From first reading your article concerning thinking of a word of the year and the previous post you wrote explaining the process, only one word has repeatedly rang in my ear: Possible. I plan on getting it placed on a necklace or bracelet to remind me every day. I have a huge year coming up: mock trial competition, last semester as president of an org (so I have to make it big!), starting a new internship this month, graduating from law school (w/ honors hopefully), taking (& passing!) the BAR exam in July and getting married to the love of my life in September. Plus honeymoon and a second reception out of state. All of this plus all of the little things that go with it. I feel extremely blessed but also overwhelmed. But I know God wouldn’t bless me w/ all of this if it wasn’t possible to do all these things and do them well. Pray for me! As I will for you. Align is an amazing word choice!
Wow Yvo, sounds like you have an amazing year ahead of you and “possible” is a fantastic word to encapsulate all that lies ahead. Blessings to you!
I have been choosing words to focus on since 2011. I very much prefer it! My word for 2014 is CHARITY. To be better and more willing to receive charity but to also seek out more opportunities to give to those around me.
Generosity is always a good thing Dana!
I’ve spent a couple weeks praying about what my word for 2014 would be. Finally this morning, as i woke up, I feel like God said – your word is VICTORY! I’ve been in survival mode for longer than i’m willing to admit. We are meant for more than survival. We are meant to THRIVE. God has fought the battle for me and now its time to walk in Victory over my finances, health, relationships, family crisis, my future, my past, and my present. I love your blog. Thanks so much for being an inspiration and a blessing. Happy New Year!!
I am so excited for you Michelle! EXCELLENT word! Yes, we were designed to thrive and I pray that this will be a victorious year for you.
I have thought of several words, but I think I need to focus on
SERVICE. I often get caught up in my own world, which sometimes shrinks to just me, so this year I will focus on serving those around me in whatever way God leads. Who knows where this choice will lead me or the joy I will reap from it?
Thinking of others will definitely lead you to a more joyful life Sandy. Blessings to you!
My word for 2014 is LIVE. As a single mom with 5 kids I find that I’m tired and cranky and don’t look forward to a lot because we are stuck in a routine, work, school, housework, etc. This year I intend to explore and create with my family instead of watching it all fly by. Thank you for this post and giving me a reason to really think on this one. The years of SURVIVE are over!
Happy New Year!
Tara
Wow Tara! You have so much going on, but I am really excited about your new year. I hope that you can have some fun with your kids and enjoy life while they are young. 🙂
My word this year is going to be EMBRACE. I found that 2013 was a year of many grumbles, complaints and comparisons. I spent more time thinking of what my life should be instead of embracing it as it was at that moment and enjoying everything about it. My verse is I Peter 3:10-12. I’m looking forward to embracing this new year and embracing my life, being content and striving to live in the moment with my kids and my husband. Thanks for your always-motivating posts!
LOVE IT Stephanie!
My Word is Balance. I stumbled upon your site about 5 months ago. I do love it, I read your posts and think we really need to do this or try that. We are riddled with Medical bills, and just get by. This year I don’t want to just get by. I want to balance our spending with our income, pay down some debt, not that there is a lot other than medical. I want a healthy balance in our eating, and I want to balance my time, I’m always running and saying I’ll do things and never get to them. Keep up the great job!!
Thanks for the encouragement Karen! I’m sorry about the medical bills, but good for you for taking control of your money and meeting YOUR priorities.
In the past few months I have felt so unorganized and out of focus. I sat down earlier and began a list of goals for next year and then found your article. I like your word Align. It describes what I would like to do this coming year, because right now I feel like that car out of alignment!!!
Here’s to a re-focused 2014 Gala! We can do it. 🙂
My word for 2014 is “rejuventation”. This goes hand in hand with finding balance from within. Living in a world that does not stop, our bodies get totally out of whack, whether it is spiritual, financial, mentally, or even physically. Working in the healthcare industry for the past 30 years, I have always given of myself to others, including my family. This year, it is my turn to rejuvenate my entire being, starting with seeking balance from within, wherever it may come from, without losing sight of my responsibilties as a single parent, and a team member to other employees within my division.
Good for you for taking care of yourself Beth!
My word is “parents.” I chose this word because my 2014 New Year’s Resolution is of the fourth commandment, “Honor your father and mother.” I do not appreciate enough all the sacrifices they have made for me and would really like to strengthen my relationship with my aging parents.
Really great plan Ashley. Respecting and honoring our parents is so important.
My word is Peace. Isaiah 26:3 will be my verse for the year. So many areas that I want to bring peace into. Peace into my mind after struggling with ADHD for 30 years and finally being diagnosed. Physical Peace into our surroundings (home, cars, land). Peace in our relationships as we prepare to send our oldest to Marine Bootcamp in August. Knowing better the peaceful character of God. Peace in the way that we homeschool and homeschool curriculum. Peace in the little years. I could go on. I should just turn this into a blog post.
I was just recently reminded of that verse myself Christine. And yes, go ahead and write that post. 🙂
my word for 2014 is Joy. to savor the joy is all aspects of my life.
A very worthy goal Ann. 🙂
My word for 2014 is HEAL. I felt Align as a good candidate for many of the reasons that you indicated. 2013 was overall not a great year for our family on the health front so this year will be a year of healing for myself and for my family. In April my 16 year old son attempted suicide largely as a result of bullying. The Doctors said he should not have survived but we know Jesus was not ready to call him home. In July my 20 year old daughter who is a missionary in Cambodia was in a serious traffic accident and was lucky to have survived her injuries and had to be medivac’d to Bangkok. I have been recovering from an operational stress injury since I returned home in 2012 after a 7 month military deployment. I am to be medically released from the military after a 27 year career. All this has weighed heavily on my wife and the rest of my family, we have 8 kids total. I refer to 2013 as one long Friday the 13th.
So HEALing from 2013 is my word for 2014
1) to heal my relationship with God
2) to continue to heal physically and mentally from my injury so that I will be successful in business after I leave the military
3) to heal my relationship with my wife who has carried a tremendous burden, as a husband, a friend, a father of our kids
4) to heal my relationship with my kids
Through healing in 2014 I will be able to look forward to a more positive word for 2015
Wow, you have been through so much Bill! I pray that your entire family will experience God’s amazing healing Presence this next year, and that your healing will be a shorter process than you expect. God is good!
Focus is also my word of the year, picked several days ago. I feel the Lord put it on my heart in several ways, including my waking up in the middle of the night recently to the phrase, “People Matter: Focus”. For me this means keeping the focus where it should be, on the things that do matter. My priority list looks much like yours aside from the blogging (I don’t blog), but if one were to go by how I actually spend my time some days, you wouldn’t think so. That is going to change. 🙂
I considered focus as my word of the year as well. We are basically saying the same thing: time to get life back in order, right? 🙂
My word for 2014 is “focus”. I tend to start lots of things and then lose interest real quick. It drives me mad and I want to focus and STAY focused on my health – physical and mental, my relationship to others (partner, family, friends), my education (going back to school in March) and my dog’s training (linked with my physical health). I really like your choice for 2014! I imagine it’ll do you good after such an exciting and strenuous year 🙂
Thanks Andrea! Focus is a great word too, and something I can use more of. 🙂
Time.
This is my word for 2014.
I have a job that keeps me out from 8 am to 6 pm, so I need to organize better my time. I have to find moments for myself: I would like to have time to exercise, time to read more, time to keep my house cleaner and organized. But most of the time I just get home from work and feel too tired to do anything.
Your blog is a source of inspiration when it comes to organizing life, and I’m sure I’ll find more in this year to come. I must make an effort and create some good habits, and not being lazy.
I’m glad I can encourage you Francesca. 🙂 It is difficult to fit everything in when you work full time, but making yourself a priority is so important. I hope you have a wonderful 2014!
My word for 2014 is “RENEW” I need to renew my faith, my brain, and in all MYSELF.
Great word Nicole. I am sure that we can all use some renewal.
My Word of the Year is “Count”. Here is my
post on it.
http://unafamiliaalaskena.blogspot.com/2013/12/count-word-of-year-for-2014.html?m=1
Pursue.
God, my husband’s heart, my childrens’ heart, a simpler and more peaceful life.
Another great word Tessa, and terrific goals. Have a Happy New Year!
I spent a while thinking about this after reading about your word “more” for 2013. My word is “knowledge”. Have decisions to make about whether to get my masters, knowledge on better communication with my children and many more things. Good luck to all!
Thanks for taking the time to comment Karen. I hope that 2014 meets all of your expectations!
My word is going to be “Release” – to release and let go of built up frustrations, regrets, anger, resentment and bitterness accumulated over the past few years of several trying life situations. To release the worry and let God be in control instead of me. To release the judgements and criticisms of others and put the focus back on where it belongs and release the fear of others judgements and criticisms of me. Happy New Year!
Ooh- I like that word Debbie. 🙂
During the past few years my focus has been on others – but this year I have been lead to chose the word “ME”. I need to focus on taking care of me and not everyone else. Please don’t think of this as being conceited or anything – I have had many losses of family members as well as putting my mom in a home for ALZ patients. In doing all of this I have neglected myself and where I want to be in life. So the focus for 2014 is for me – to align myself. Thanks for sharing your word – it put a lot into prospective for me.
I TOTALLY know what you mean about needing to take care of yourself Denise. Do it without any guilt. 🙂
My word for 2014 is Excellence. I feel like this year I spent a lot of time trying to get plans in place, new habits started, etc, now is time to go on further, and strive for excellence in my life. Not perfection, but not settling for laziness.
I love that you are not striving for perfection, just excellence. I hope 2014 is a great year for you Kay. 🙂