Do you have a word for the year?
A goal?
A phrase?
Some kind-of word or saying that represents a resolution of some sort? Or do you have a specific resolution?
Some live by them. Some hate the thought of them. You?
Me? I like the idea of starting fresh, and each morning is a bit of a new start, for me. I don’t set new intentions everyday, but then again, maybe I do. Maybe “intention” is just a fancy name for TO-DO LIST… *wink wink*
Mondays are generally a despised day for many, but I actually see Mondays as new opportunity. New blooms. I like Mondays.
Though I don’t set a word intention for each week, I do tend to set a word intention for the year. I try to be the cool, aloof person I sometimes wish I was… I try to pretend I have it all together and claim don’t have the need for a resolution or “word”.
I suppose I’ll never be THAT cool or aloof. My mind is always flipping through options. Inspirations. Motivation. Focus. Resolve.
The words above are what this idea of finding a word for the year is for me. It’s moving forward with intent v. ambiguity. It is an acknowledgement of the misses… and the wins of the past. It recognizes the gaps.
I often go for the feel-good words/phrases like “transformation” or “grace” or “get it girl”… But this year the word I keep returning to is not glamorous.
My word doesn’t look sparkly on a styled graphic. Rather, I think it stirs a bit of gritty recall.
And that word is LABOR.
Anybody here given birth before? I chose to NOT use a birth labor picture, btw.
You’re welcome.
This past year, my word was FAMILY. I pulled away from distractions and focused a lot of time an energy on and with my family. That pull away affected other areas, and now it is time to get back into fields that have become overgrown. Or dead.
This year I labor.
I will still prioritize family. I learned a lot and chose the right priority for the season. But our needs are different now, and I have some release to make a shift.
Labor.
Not unlike the farmer… prepping soil, planting seeds, and working the field to make ready for a harvest.
I need that harvest.
I guess HARVEST could be the word… but perhaps that should be reserved for next year… especially as I honor this year’s LABOR.
For me, this focus is a cross between action and creativity. Labor is active, but how is it creative?
I’m not exactly sure how it will look for me, but I can’t help but think of the farmer and the creative ways he must work the fields to yield a crop. Or perhaps the mother in labor… the creative mindset she must have during labor in order to hold that baby.
Labor. And the fruit of it.
If you are not into God/faith… you can totally click away now. I’m going to go a bit further on the faith-based track, and I know it’s not for everyone.
Colossians 4:22 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and thankful heart. ” This shapes the path of my labor.
1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” This shapes the face of my labor.
Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This shapes the heart of my labor.
I want to labor in love. Love for others, love on behalf of others… I want to labor in prayer so the labor of my heart and hands is fortified by God… His will and His blessing.
I don’t want to labor in vain. Been there. Done that. Over and over and over. And I just don’t want to anymore.
Y’all, I am a capable woman. I could easily run away with my list and work (labor) very hard on all the things I think I need to work on.
By myself.
While I am very willing to do the work, I just am not willing to be a lone wolf. I want to labor in the will of God and dang… typing that is hard.
I am always so fearful His will is to teach me some lesson… about patience, and perseverance.
I am so tired of learning lessons.
I am already so tired from persevering.
Why do I view God and me in a relationship where I am always in a seat of having to learn a lesson vs. in a seat of relief and victory???
Yet, maybe that’s just life. Am I the only one working hard and struggling? Absolutely not. Furthermore, I don’t actually believe God is delving out road bump after road bump to slow/wear me down for a lesson either. I actually believe it’s man and our egos and selfishness getting in the way of that desired relief and victory.
Anywho…
All that to say, I am preparing for labor with the hope of a harvest. I have a specific harvest I am hoping for and I also know life is, um…. interesting. I am hunkering down and mentally preparing for unknown twists and turns and wins along the way to keep me going.
How about you? Ya got any words or intentions for the year? Ya got any scripture or encouraging words to share that I can add to my journal (have you seen my videos on monthly and weekly Bullet Journal layouts?) to read on the hard days?
I wish you a happy, healthy, and deeply fulfilling 2019, my friends. And on that note… be looking for some things from me… I will be launching something exciting SOON (see: LABOR)!
