I asked you recently if you made any resolutions for the New Year and many of you said that they were too challenging to keep with all of the other things going on in life. After perusing blog land over the last few weeks I have found that instead of resolutions and declarations many people are choosing a word, one word to define their goals or resolutions for the year.
Layla at The Lettered Cottage has invited people to chose a word or perhaps a few words that will inspire and create intention in your life for the next year.
After looking back on my affirmations I chose the word.
I challenge myself to try to simplify things in my life, by cleansing my house and my life of things that weigh me down. After all, does one need a closet full of clothes that they do not wear, or books everywhere that they have read and should pass along? Does one have to keep every magazine they own thinking that they will go back and reread the folded pages?
I challenge myself to speak less and listen more instead of jumping in and offering advice and what I think are solutions to other peoples issues and problems.
I challenge myself to try to do one new thing a week that is out of my comfort zone; learning to sew, or a new program on the computer, reading books from new genres or being open to trying new recipes and foods that I normally would not eat (lots of things on Pinterest). I am going to do more things that bring me joy!
I challenge myself to live with more gratitude. Life hands us challenges everyday; sometimes I tend to focus on those issues and problems and let them overtake my life. This year I plan to focus on the great parts of life and to count my blessing more often.
What about you? Do you have a word for the year? If so, join Layla at the Lettered Cottage today and declare your intention for the New Year.
On a different note, what did you think about Downton Abbey? I loved it and cannot wait until next Sunday.
Have a happy Monday and a great week!

Ohhhh this is so good dearest, SO GOOD! If we could focus on ONE WORD, that would make the task of accomplishing IT so much more manageable! Here is my word:
GRACE.
I will live like I KNOW that I have a canopy of GRACE hanging over my head, rather than GUILT for not doing EVERYTHING that I wish I could do, WELL.
Oh, this was a fabulous post. I had been thinking along these lines yesterday, trying to figure out what I would blog on for next week. Are you feeling any more energetic today??? Oh, I hope so! BISOUS! Anita
I have many plans for this year, plans to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, take more photographs and simply be happy, so, in view of these my one word for the year is …… drumroll please …….
A C H I E V E
Great post Elizabeth!
Di
x
Popping over from The Lettered Cottage to say hi and I love that you are using the word Challenge! I think we probably all sound add that to our words…though then it would be a "2 Words a Year" which probably doesn't have the same ring! Thanks for sharing! Happy 2012!
Good message…..my word is going to be "do" so that I actually DO the things I think about! I have a few on my list, starting small and want to accomplish those first then will build from there…good luck!
I like your word. Mine might be "do" as i want to push myself to do more this year, and not be overwhelmed by limitations. My goal is to just "do" it and not to talk myself out of whatever it is, because i think it is too much for me. I hope we all accomplish our dreams this year!