Focusing On A Word

It seems to be the thing to do to pick a word for the year.  I kinda like
the whole idea of looking for a word that focuses you in a direction that
you would like to go in the days ahead.  In 2011, my word for the year
was grow.  I even bought this cute little necklace to wear as a reminder.

As I look back over the year, I realize how many opportunities I had to
grow. At the top of the list was spiritual growth.  Spending lots of time
in the scriptures, learning how to serve in a new church calling, traveling
to the Holy Land and most importantly, spending time in prayer are all
things that have helped me move a little closer to my Heavenly Father.

These things (especially prayer) have helped me grow in my relationships
with my family and friends.  I have one relationship in particular which has
improved dramatically.  And for that I'm so thankful!  I've made lots of
new friendships and my life is richer as a result.

I feel like I've grown stronger physically as I've tried to make exercise
a habit.   Hiking, walking on the treadmill and my mountain road, and
trying to eat a healthier diet have helped with this.  This one isn't the easiest
for me, but I am getting there, one baby step at a time.

I've grown by learning new things.  I've become a better gardener.  I've
learned about beekeeping ( oh, I have sad news about the bees which  I'll
share soon).  I've learned that I'm not a good knitter (but I'm not giving up!).
I've learned how to make pasta and play the piano (a little better).  I've
learned more about the countries in the middle east, that I love
Mediterranean food and that I have a passion for travel.  I already kind
of knew that, but it's been reinforced in a big way.  I've learned that I
love to hike and that finding people to hike with me is a difficult task.
I've learned that remodeling projects move very slowly and I probably
will never get my house completely organized.  I've learned to look for
beauty all around me and how to be grateful even in the"hard things",
and I've learned that I will always have to work on this one, because
it's not my natural tendency.

So, it's been a growing year and I'm happy about that.  As I move into
2012, I've decided my word for the year will be

I had someone close to me tell me recently that I could work a little harder 

on extending grace to others.  Ouch!!!  That was hard to hear, but he was

right.  Type A's, like myself,  can be a little, shall we say, driven at times.

I can be demanding of myself and sometimes that can carry over into my 

relationships with other people.  Especially those closest to me. I receive 

grace every day from my Savior (thank goodness for it), and I know he

would have me be the dispenser of grace to others.  After all, this is part 

of being Christlike and I want more than any thing to be like him. 

So this year, I will try to be a more "grace filled" person.  I want to allow

myself grace, move through each day at a pace of grace and most 

importantly, lovingly extend it to those around me. 

And lest I think I can accomplish any of this on my own, I will remember

these wise words.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches;  He

that abideth in me, and I in him, the same

bringeth forth much fruit; for without me

ye can do nothing."

John 15:5

and my all time favorite scripture-

"I can do all things through Christ who 

strengthens me."

Phillipians 4:13

Yes, I need His grace in a big way.

And here are a few other things I resolve to work on in 2012.  You 

knew I would have a list, didn't you? 

* Take a picture everyday with my camera 

and get off the automatic setting.

*  Eat the Mediterranean way.

*  Stop cracking my knuckles 

(a pesky little habit that makes me

 happy  and drives everyone around me crazy)

* Spend some time outside everyday

(except when it's 15 degrees, like it was today.

 I'm already making excuses.  Good grief.)

* Judge less, love more.

That's it.  Shouldn't be too hard, right?  Um, yeah, I'll let you know how 

it's working out for me and I will try not to be too hard on myself, because

remember my word for the year is GRACE and I'm starting with myself.

Now,  I'm off to look for a new necklace.

So how about you?  Do you have a word for the year?