new words for the new year

yesterday i talked about how i have yet to make new year’s resolutions.  after reading through a couple of my favorite blogs (here & here) i was encouraged to write words instead.  i sat down with my bible. my music. and a pen.  i prayed over this next year – my first official year as a Mayberry. i thought about what i wanted to look back on one year for now. i thought about my dreams and goals. with my house. with my husband. with my blog. with my life. my pen kept coming back to two points….   ESTABLISHED: made firm   i am really looking forward to making this place our home. we bought a house the same week we got married and it just dawned on me that this is not college – i live here for real. this next year i am starting a new project: PROJECT NEW HOME. i want to go room by room and establish the Mayberry home.   i also want to get more established in my church. volunteer more in the nursery, help with the youth group, & actually have conversations with people that i see every week.   and established in my city. do things locals do. be places people are. give when a need arises. know my neighbors. and break out of my comfort zone.

DARING: have the courage to do something   this one is a big one. i have lots of dreams but sometimes i only go for them halfheartedly. i am so afraid of failure that it hinders me. i want to dream big. paint walls. hang pictures. dare to find my style and stand by it.    i want to dare to try new things. to go out of my comfort zone and talk to new people. to get involved. to make my pinterest boards reality.   dare to be me. HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN WORDS1. find a comfortable place to sit with a pen, some paper, and whatever inspires you. i had a chai by my side and my wool socks pulled up to my knees. find your place. 2. write. everything. fill that paper with words, thoughts, dreams, passions, goals, strengths, weaknesses, people places. everything.  3. circle your favorites 4. grab a thesaurus and find key words to express your favorites – established was a word that summed up four of my word/thoughts. 5. remind yourself of your words throughout the year. put them in your car. write them with lipstick on your mirror. put them on the fridge. do something so that you stay encouraged.    and the best thing is that you CANNOT FAIL. this is not a chore list. any focus on making these words sink into your heart will bless you. even if i only dare to do one thing or only establish myself by putting pictures up in my living room i succeed. i am excited to look back next year and see how i grew, not the resolutions i failed.    what do you think? do you do new words for the new year?