It's still the month of resolutions, although I think statistically we're almost to the point where people give them up again? ha!
I'm normally ALL about goals and resolutions this time of year. So it was really odd for me to not have any idea of what I wanted to do for the year. I would think about it and pray a little, but nada!
Trust me, it's not because I don't need to improve. There are pleeenty of areas for that.
But nothing really stuck out. And in some ways, I'm already working on a lot of areas from the past few months-- decreasing/eliminating social media, cleaning out and organizing my home in preparation for the new baby, and striving to use naptime more for prayer and creativity.
But the list-making, label-loving part of me still really wanted a resolution or goal. So I prayed again for a word.
And it came.
Not what I thought it would be. But it's perfect.
Cherish.
In the midst of all my 'doings' and 'improvings' and strivings, THIS is what I need to remember: I am blessed with my husband, my children, my family and friends and community. With little moments and daily rhythms and ordinary beauty. And instead of forgetting all of that in the midst of my improving, I want to cherish them all.
To pause more, love deeper, play sillier, hug tighter, and relish these precious people and fleeting moments.
We are a people of looking ahead. And when we look ahead, we fail to cherish in the present.
With God's grace, not this year.
Do you have a focus or desire or hope or goal for this year? I'd love to hear it!
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
The Freshness of the New Year
I love new years. I love the clean-slate, fresh-start, begin-again feeling of them. It's probably the recovering perfectionist in me...I like getting rid of the messiness and feeling like there's a chance I'll get it right this year. ;) But at the same time, I think the writer and the optimist in me also like new years...there's an exciting and hopeful anticipation of what might be written on its pages...of the ways I'll grow and change and learn.
This year I did NOT make any specific resolutions, which is a big change for me! I did, however, choose a word and a saint (more on those below). Instead of a specific resolution, I have these lofty and vague (and never-ending?) goals for organizing life, haha. Mainly: organizing my home and organizing my time.
For our home, we've only lived her less than two years but we also were both single living on our own for several years before marriage, so we've collected quite a bit that just isn't necessary in our home. I really want to clean out and minimize and donate a LOT so that our daily lives are less cluttered and materialistic.
For my time, I'm all about the idea of routines and schedules. I see the necessity of them with having a baby because otherwise I would feel like all I get done in a day is dinner and diapers (which is nothing to sneeze at, my hubby reminds me ;) ). Yet I also see the need to have LOOSE schedules and routines so that I'm not constantly trying to abide by a schedule that just doesn't fit this season. I'm learning to just watch the rhythm of my days right now and utilize certain chunks of time for work and purposely rest/read/pray during others.
As far as my word for the year, I really wasn't planning on choosing one, but on the last day of 2016 my devotional encouraged me to choose a word...or rather to pray over it as I read the scriptures for the day. The Gospel was one of my favorites-- John chapter 1-- and the word grace reached out to me and I happily received it.
I want to live like Mary-- full of grace-- in my daily life. I want to look for the grace God sends each day, even in the mundane. I want to be graceful and gracious to others. Grace means gift and that's what each moment of my life holds...grace and gift from God if I have to eyes to see it and the heart to treasure it.
Last but not least, I enjoy the Saints Name Generator from Jen Fulwiler and this year's saint for me was Saint Bernadette! I know her general story but I look forward to learning more about her and the ways God may inspire me from her life, as well as to her prayerful intercession to help me become the woman God wants me to be this year!
What are your goals or resolutions for the year? Did you choose a word or a saint?
This year I did NOT make any specific resolutions, which is a big change for me! I did, however, choose a word and a saint (more on those below). Instead of a specific resolution, I have these lofty and vague (and never-ending?) goals for organizing life, haha. Mainly: organizing my home and organizing my time.
For our home, we've only lived her less than two years but we also were both single living on our own for several years before marriage, so we've collected quite a bit that just isn't necessary in our home. I really want to clean out and minimize and donate a LOT so that our daily lives are less cluttered and materialistic.
For my time, I'm all about the idea of routines and schedules. I see the necessity of them with having a baby because otherwise I would feel like all I get done in a day is dinner and diapers (which is nothing to sneeze at, my hubby reminds me ;) ). Yet I also see the need to have LOOSE schedules and routines so that I'm not constantly trying to abide by a schedule that just doesn't fit this season. I'm learning to just watch the rhythm of my days right now and utilize certain chunks of time for work and purposely rest/read/pray during others.
As far as my word for the year, I really wasn't planning on choosing one, but on the last day of 2016 my devotional encouraged me to choose a word...or rather to pray over it as I read the scriptures for the day. The Gospel was one of my favorites-- John chapter 1-- and the word grace reached out to me and I happily received it.
I want to live like Mary-- full of grace-- in my daily life. I want to look for the grace God sends each day, even in the mundane. I want to be graceful and gracious to others. Grace means gift and that's what each moment of my life holds...grace and gift from God if I have to eyes to see it and the heart to treasure it.
Last but not least, I enjoy the Saints Name Generator from Jen Fulwiler and this year's saint for me was Saint Bernadette! I know her general story but I look forward to learning more about her and the ways God may inspire me from her life, as well as to her prayerful intercession to help me become the woman God wants me to be this year!
What are your goals or resolutions for the year? Did you choose a word or a saint?
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Tuesday Talk #58: The {Social} Media
I'm in one of those anti-media moods.
Not anti-media, as in all the election-crazy news people. But anti-social media...
My hubby says I tend to be all in or all out. That I go on these media fasts and wash my hands of it...and then binge. Lol. Maybe so.
But lately I'm just questioning it all. I think it's motherhood, honestly. For a lot of reasons.
I have a lot of single friends and I remember being single. I don't want to be the blog/FB/instagram post that makes them feel alone.
I have a lot of friends that struggle with infertility. I don't want to be the baby picture post that cuts deeper into an ever-present wound. I remember that wound.
I want to be real and post the hard times. But I also want to be respectful of the other people in my life-- my husband and child-- and not share their stories that are so intertwined with mine.
And the final reason is life is so good and precious right now that I find myself less entranced by social media...and even disgusted when I find myself wasting time on it. The moments when I'm checking my phone and I look down and see my daughter watching me. These years are fleeting and it's not worth being distracted from the gifts God has placed in the here and now. My brain is fried enough from lack of sleep and baby care, I don't need to fry it more with technology. ;)
Even if that means life gets a little smaller.
Part of me is craving the small and simple. I don't need more FB friends; I need to pour more into my current friends. I don't need more decor or recipe ideas; I need to simply use what I have and my own creativity. I don't even need to document my moments with Instagram; remember those days when I actually printed out pictures and scrapbooked?
These are the thoughts mulling around in my brain these days. I have a feeling they're going to give birth to a decision in a few weeks as Advent begins. My favorite Church season. It's all about the small and the simple.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to do something drastic. Like give up all social media for the month. Maybe I'll even call it the Old-Fashioned Christmas experiment.
Social media has completely and undeniably changed our lives-- and our brains. I'm just not sure I want to be part of that anymore even if I'm missing out on some of the good stuff of it. The reality is that while we may be missing out on things if we don't have social media...more and more I'm being convinced that we're also missing out on things if we do.
What do you think about social media? Am I being crazy?
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Not anti-media, as in all the election-crazy news people. But anti-social media...
My hubby says I tend to be all in or all out. That I go on these media fasts and wash my hands of it...and then binge. Lol. Maybe so.
But lately I'm just questioning it all. I think it's motherhood, honestly. For a lot of reasons.
I have a lot of single friends and I remember being single. I don't want to be the blog/FB/instagram post that makes them feel alone.
I have a lot of friends that struggle with infertility. I don't want to be the baby picture post that cuts deeper into an ever-present wound. I remember that wound.
I want to be real and post the hard times. But I also want to be respectful of the other people in my life-- my husband and child-- and not share their stories that are so intertwined with mine.
And the final reason is life is so good and precious right now that I find myself less entranced by social media...and even disgusted when I find myself wasting time on it. The moments when I'm checking my phone and I look down and see my daughter watching me. These years are fleeting and it's not worth being distracted from the gifts God has placed in the here and now. My brain is fried enough from lack of sleep and baby care, I don't need to fry it more with technology. ;)
Even if that means life gets a little smaller.
Part of me is craving the small and simple. I don't need more FB friends; I need to pour more into my current friends. I don't need more decor or recipe ideas; I need to simply use what I have and my own creativity. I don't even need to document my moments with Instagram; remember those days when I actually printed out pictures and scrapbooked?
These are the thoughts mulling around in my brain these days. I have a feeling they're going to give birth to a decision in a few weeks as Advent begins. My favorite Church season. It's all about the small and the simple.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to do something drastic. Like give up all social media for the month. Maybe I'll even call it the Old-Fashioned Christmas experiment.
Social media has completely and undeniably changed our lives-- and our brains. I'm just not sure I want to be part of that anymore even if I'm missing out on some of the good stuff of it. The reality is that while we may be missing out on things if we don't have social media...more and more I'm being convinced that we're also missing out on things if we do.
What do you think about social media? Am I being crazy?
Want to join this week's link up? Grab our button below and link back to one of the hosts!
Jessica at Sweet Little Ones | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
Crystal at Hall Around Texas | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
Crystal at Hall Around Texas | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
Christina at Waltzing In Beauty | Pinterest | Instagram
Meghan at The Adventure Starts Here | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
Meghan at The Adventure Starts Here | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
You can join us on Pinterest, too!
Follow Sweet Little Ones's board Tuesday Talk Features on Pinterest.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
With Grit and Grace: September
No frills to this post, folks. Little G is sleeping while I drink my coffee (coffee and I are besties once again) and eat some oatmeal but she keeps making the cutest little grunting noises so I have a feeling she'll wake up before I finish this post...
I'm joining up with the Grit and Grace girls this month because I am all about the goals! I've found in these first couple months of parenthood that I am a creature of routines and schedules and to-do lists...and that parenthood, at least of a newborn, is not conducive to that! Yet I crave some semblance of order and accomplishment so I'm learning two things. One-- to give myself some grace and realize feeding and caring for and loving my daughter is my greatest goal right now and the one God (and my husband, thankfully) most desires me to work on. Two-- that I can still create goals and loose schedules even in this season if I'm willing to be flexible and think small.
Here are the areas I decided to make a goal in for each week (notice I didn't say daily...weekly seems more attainable at this point!).
My Marriage- what can I do to nurture and prioritize this relationship, which is the foundation for our daughter?
My Spiritual Life- how can I grow closer to God in this new season where I have more quiet time at home but less focus and less sleep?
My Creative Spirit- what can I do to feed my creativity and enjoy a small amount of time for projects, crafting, or hobbies?
My Clean Freak side- sometimes it's all I can do to keep up with the normal chores like dishes or laundry (who am I kidding...I'm not keeping up with that stuff ;) ), but what's an area of deep cleaning that I wouldn't normally accomplish but would feel great if I got it done?
I've recruited my sister with these goals as well so that I can have an accountability partner and we can inspire and encourage each other each week! Want to hear my goals for this week?
Marriage-
Spiritual- pray the Divine Mercy chaplet in the afternoon/pause for reflection
Creative- put together a few nice outfits in my closet so I can grab them quickly and feel good about myself
Cleaning- clean my bathroom floor and rug
What are your goals for the day, the week, or the month? Check out the link up at Christina's for more ideas and encouragement!
P.S. As I wrote, little G woke up and joined me with her cute little squirms and chatter but I think it's time for a diaper change!
Monday, February 29, 2016
With Grit and Grace: March Goals
March is almost here! I'm always amazed at how fast February flies even though there are only a few days less!
I really enjoyed having some reachable and specific goals for the month. I wasn't perfect but it helped me focus on doing a little more than the usual routine. Here's how I did...
February Recap
-Spend time with Jesus one hour a week at our Adoration Chapel (this is my Lenten goal as well)
(Yep. Although one week I only stayed 20 minutes because there was some kind of varnish smell that was giving me a headache in the new chapel!)
(Yep. Although one week I only stayed 20 minutes because there was some kind of varnish smell that was giving me a headache in the new chapel!)
-Make a German chocolate cake from scratch for my birthday
(Check. Cake and frosting from scratch. But guess who forgot a picture for proof?)
(Check. Cake and frosting from scratch. But guess who forgot a picture for proof?)
-Organize our pantry
(Big fat no on this one. Still looks messy as ever. But it's functional, so another day perhaps? ;)
(Big fat no on this one. Still looks messy as ever. But it's functional, so another day perhaps? ;)
-Make a few Valentines for friends
(I found the cutest tea-themed ones on Pinterest that looked like a tea bag and held a real tea bag inside.)
(I found the cutest tea-themed ones on Pinterest that looked like a tea bag and held a real tea bag inside.)
-Host a couple for dinner or coffee (this is a monthly goal for my husband and I)
(We had such a wonderful time with M. and E. this past weekend! No dinner but I did try new recipes for hot pizza dip with French bread, and chocolate fondue with fruit. Wish they lived closer!)
(We had such a wonderful time with M. and E. this past weekend! No dinner but I did try new recipes for hot pizza dip with French bread, and chocolate fondue with fruit. Wish they lived closer!)
-Create a prayer space in our home office
(A cozy chair, blanket, and a table with a coaster for tea and a basket of prayer books.)
-Trim the Little Dog's nails
(No more clackity-clack on the kitchen floor.)
(A cozy chair, blanket, and a table with a coaster for tea and a basket of prayer books.)
-
(No more clackity-clack on the kitchen floor.)
-Make nontoxic household cleaners
(Made dusting spray and all-purpose cleaner. Still would like to make glass cleaner.)
(Made dusting spray and all-purpose cleaner. Still would like to make glass cleaner.)
-Begin organizing our basement
("Begin" is the key word in that goal but we did accomplish a lot! There are just so many more boxes!)
Here's what I'm working on for March!
("Begin" is the key word in that goal but we did accomplish a lot! There are just so many more boxes!)
Here's what I'm working on for March!
-crochet a baby blanket for my sister-in-law due next month
-organize under my kitchen sink
-find out if our insurance will cover Bradley childbirth classes
-host our marriage group from church for dinner (eek! Why did we offer to host the 14 people this month??)
-pray when I get home from work on my work days (since morning and evening aren't proving to be good times on those days)
-clean windows in hopes that there will be lots of spring sunshine coming through!
-make healthy peanut butter cups
-pray the Magnificat prayer daily with my husband (our marriage group commitment)
-go on two dates nights
-enter fully into the Easter Triduum and all the grace of those three days then celebrate the joy of the Resurrection!
What are your goals this month? How did last month go?
Friday, February 12, 2016
With Grit and Grace: February Goals
This link up is just what I need! I was inspired by Christina's post and realized how helpful it would be to make simple monthly goals in addition to the usual things that need done. I'm definitely a list person, and goal setting can either inspire me or intimidate me. I think the important thing with goals is to make them realistic and not overwhelming, and to include things that are creative and get you out of your usual routine. My sister and I often lament that by the time we meal plan or prep, clean, work, etc. we don't have the time or energy for other projects or hobbies. But with goal setting, it will help me prioritize these things-- even if it means the dishes sit a little longer in the dishwasher that day!
Here are my goals for February!
-Spend time with Jesus one hour a week at our Adoration Chapel (this is my Lenten goal as well)
-Make a German chocolate cake from scratch for my birthday
-Organize our pantry
-Make a few Valentines for friends
-Host a couple for dinner or coffee (this is a monthly goal for my husband and I)
-Create a prayer space in our office
-Trim the Little Dog's nails
-Trim the Little Dog's nails
-Make nontoxic household cleaners
-Begin organizing our basement
What are your goals for the month? Give me some comment love! :)
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