A word for the new year

Over the years, I've found resolutions to be less than effective for me.  I have tried to be more reflective as a new year starts and look back at mistakes and pitfalls.  I also manage to find some things that I've done very well and want to continue into the new year.

Since I've been blogging, I've noticed that some people choose a word to be their focus instead of a list of resolutions.  I liked this idea but have always been too much of a 'big picture' personality to find one word to fit my needs.  The past couple of days were very low key compared to the pace of preparing for three Christmas celebrations and a wedding.  I found myself thinking and wanting to find my one word (I think this also was a result of reading Eat, Pray, Love earlier this fall).  But which word would encompass all that I want to accomplish, how I want to feel, and how I interact with others?  Oh, the pressure of finding that one perfect word...

Enough was one of my first thoughts.  Not as in "I've had enough!", but "Be happy with enough."  This applies to my financial goals.  It's not as hard to stick with a budget when you focus on what you 'need' and manage to make do with what you have.  We've actually paid off several bills this year using this word.  But the word 'enough' only seemed to cover part of what I want to achieve.

Balance was another great word that came to mind.  This was actually something I thought about several months ago when it was thrown out as a challenge for ABAC.  I think finding our personal balance is very important to being happy and I am constantly trying to adjust my 'scale' to keep things relatively balanced.  This means prioritizing the things that occupy my time and saying no to the things that don't fit on the scale.  But again, this wonderful word didn't quite fit everything either.

I finally gave up and decided that when the time was right, my word would come to me.  Hours later I took a break from the laundry to peek at my Pintrest feed.  I saw all kinds of inspirational words that others were pinning for new years and while they were all either poignant, endearing, or motivating, they were not what I was looking for.   I decided to pin a few of them for future use and while I was there, I checked my own board.  This seemed to jump at me...

Easy, right?! hehe!  Then my wandering eyes settled on this beauty...

Suddenly my word was right there... SIMPLE.  One little word that encompasses so much.  Keep things simple can mean anything from my shopping list, my 'to do' list, plans, parties, or solving problems.  It's also something that I've already introduced in 2013.  Our new budget has helped us simplify our purchases.  My recent need to declutter the house has made me realize that I don't need nearly as many things as I once believed; and by keeping my plans and schedule simple, I will have more free time to do impulsive and meaningful things for others instead of telling them I can't right now.  So now I can rest my brain knowing that my word for 2014 is simple and I should be too!!

I wish everyone a very happy and meaningful new year!  May your days be filled with importance and love for others.  May you find peace and contentment in what you have, and may you always find time to create something you love!!  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!