“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” ~Brad Paisley
It’s almost time to celebrate one year coming to an end and a new one beginning. I’ve always thought of the new year as a simple math problem.
New Year = New Beginnings
Maybe 2014 was the best year of your life, or maybe you dealt with a lot of sadness, grief, or spent the year spinning your wheels without getting any traction. No matter how your 2014 was spent, 2015 is a blank slate, just awaiting for you to come and create a masterpiece.
I realize that not everyone gets as excited about setting new goals or resolutions like I do. For some of you it’s completely overwhelming. For others, you think it’s a good idea and maybe you’ll try it…sometime. Others will set 452 resolutions and not be able to keep any of them because their vision is too broad.
That is why I love the beauty of One Word 365. It’s simple, basic and can be life changing! The basic concept of One Word is to chose one word to focus on for a year. This word is your personal theme of the year. That’s it. Simple, don’t you think?
My One Word of 2014 was present. In 2013 it was intentional. You choose a word that resonates with you- whether it’s how you want to live your life or what you want your life to look like.
I struggled this year between a few words: balance, simple, and love were all in the final running. Last year I felt like we were on the fast track, 24 hours a day. There were many days I craved a simple and balanced life.
I can be a hard person to please. I know it. I’m not proud of it. I have an easier time expressing criticism than joy. That’s how the word love jumped into the final standings. I want to be a person who shows love, without it being awkward or feeling weird. I want to show love to others by sharing what we have, helping others, and building relationships.
Other words that I’ve doodled on my paper were finish, healthy, obedience, simplify, patience, sacrifice, listen, faith, change, fitness, relationships, dream, grace, celebrate, pursue, create, connect, enjoy, discipline, and rejoice. But they all fell short of the word I ended up choosing.
My One Word for 2015 is savor. When I looked up the definition online, savor is a transition verb which means to delight in or to enjoy for a very long time.
Yes, that is what I want to focus on in 2015. I want to delight in my family. Enjoy my family. Enjoy my blog, friends, experiences, and in helping others. 2015 is going to be a very exciting year for our family. Here are just a few of the big events happening in 2015:
- My baby is starting preschool or as she calls it “pretty school” next week. I’m an emotional mess thinking about it but she’s ready. She wants to go. She’s ready to go. It’s time to savor this season of life.
- I was chosen to review Kathi Lipp’s new book, Clutter Free: Quick and Easy Steps to Simplifying Your Space (This is my affiliate link. Ordering a product through this link may result in a commission, which helps me pay for the cost of running this site at no extra cost to you. Thank you! You can read my disclosure policy here.) Guess what that means I’m going to be doing to my home? 🙂 I want to live in a home that is delightful. Not fancy or a show home. I want to enjoy being home and be hospitable so when others come into our home, they enjoy it as well.
- In the fall, Maddie will be starting junior high, Davey will be going to Kindergarten, and Ari will be going to preschool 4 mornings a week. I’m not ready to be the mother of a junior high girl. Yikes. Once again, it’s time to savor the season. It is going to be so much fun watching her play sports and all of the other things she does already, but in a new stage of development. And yes, I’m sure there will be many tears as my kids are growing up before my eyes.
I did a much better job being present in 2014, although I didn’t always do the best job of savoring experiences. Has anyone else noticed that sometimes you are really able to savor the moment more WITHOUT the camera? Not that I am against picture taking! I want to do more of that to savor the experiences and memories in 2015, but when you aren’t looking through the screen and able to give 100% of your focus, it’s truly a moment worth savoring.
I’m planning on savoring some of our 2015 moments by using a journal to document those moments. I am a visual person and a cute journal with markers, stickers, and whatever else I find to add a little pizzazz to it make me happy. I’ve debated about Project Life but honestly, I don’t think I have the time or the energy to keep up with that and I don’t want the clutter (although I did buy Maddie some Project Life stuff for Christmas because she is crafty, organized, and creative. I’m excited to see what she comes up with). So I’m sticking to my journal. Whether it’s a photo, bible verse, a journal entry about something that happened, a gratitude list, a conversation I had with someone or something I’ve cut out of a magazine all of those will help capture the moments I want to savor. This is also something that I can look back on later and treasure with enjoyment and delight- which is exactly what my One Word, savor, is all about.
Will you join me on this journey in 2015? You can capture your One Word however you like. I would love to know what your One Word is and if you have ever had one before! I love the diversity of this group and would love to encourage you and see how your word is impacting your life!
Have you enjoyed what you read here today? Do you have friends or other women you know that could benefit from this resource? If so, please do me a favor! I have included the links below to share with other intentional women! They’ll be glad you did!
Tarissa Helms says
Jenny, I love your one word for 2015! The words value and appreciate were on my short list of words for next year, but I think savor is such a beautiful way to capture those ideas and more. As I’ve prayed and brainstormed with God over words for next year, I’ve also tossed around the words: abide, persevere, love, and quiet. But in the end, I decided to go with simplify. My heart has long yearned for a quiet, simple life filled with the things I love and value most. I’m really looking forward to learning which words others have chosen. Praying blessing over your year as you savor each moment!
Jenny says
Tarissa, my heart also yearns for the simple life, sweet friend! Kindred spirits 🙂
Stacey says
Savour…what a great word. Only yesterday I was thinking that time passes so quickly and I feel life is passing me by, without my fully appreciating it. I think the way you put it “taking delight” in things describes it perfectly. I’ll be doing the same. Happy New Year
Jenny says
Savor…I like it. I will be posting on my word in a day or two. Love was in the running, but I settled on MORE. Funny word since I feel overwhelmed with everything it takes spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally to manage a family of 9, but these verses from Philippians sealed the deal on MORE–“And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow MORE and MORE with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says
I love the clean slate of a new year! I also love choosing a word for each year, as I think it helps keep me more focused. I love your word for 2015! Mine is wisdom as I want to daily seek God’s wisdom for my life rather than relying on my own. My word for 2014 was hope and for 2013 it was joy. Here’s to a blessed 2015 for all of us!
Jenny says
Heather, I love your word! I should spend much more time seeking wisdom than trying to solve everything myself!
Becky says
I love savor, I will have to keep that in mind for upcoming years! Three years ago when I began One Word, I chose simplify. What started out as declutering my home and schedule led to my family selling our 4,000 square foot home with 40 acres and downsizing to a 1,400 square foot Townhome that we love and definitely has freed up our time. The following year my word was preserve. Little did I know my husband would be without work that year (sure glad we simplified)! In 2014, my word was glorify. With my husband still out of work and our savings coming to an end, we had a housefire during the night. Praise God my family was safe and the house was not a total loss. Focusing on my word, Glorify, helped me keep things in perspective (along with my sanity). My word this year is Intentional, so I was thrilled when I found your blog about intentional living, I will be visiting often. I can’t wait to see what The Lord has in store for 2015!
Jenny says
Becky, that is amazing! I’m so glad to hear your family was safe! God is so good, I love the word Glorify! I am so glad you found my blog! 🙂
Michelle Westbrook says
Love your word! In our busy lives, it’s a great reminder to slow down and be present in each moment. And make lots of happy memories 🙂 This is my first year choosing a word. I usually skip resolutions 😉 The word Growth just came to me one day, so I will be focusing on growing in several different areas of my life. I look forward to hearing about your savored moments!!
elly stornebrink says
Savor sounds like a delicious word to me. I associate it with food. Regardless, I wish you a savory year! 😉 <3
Laurel Regan says
What an inspirational word you’ve chosen for 2015 – I love it! It’s a good reminder to all of us, to stop and enjoy the moments and season we’re in. Thank you for sharing, and have a beautiful new year! 🙂
Jennifer says
Thanks for linking up at Share It Sunday blog hop! 🙂