These words will be guiding everything I do and every decision I make in the coming year. And as each day passes, I hope to come one step closer to my truest self. These “steps” are not meant to come one after the other, but rather I envision each acting as a springboard to enhance the others.
FAITH – This one must come first. And last. And be everywhere in between. Practiced Faith. Focused Faith. Intertwined and weaving through all aspects of my being. Pushing myself to read, study, and learn. Letting the worries rest elsewhere and directing my energies toward doing His Work and spreading His Word through actions and deeds.
FORGIVE – Hmmm…ALWAYS been a tough one for me. I hold grudges with the best of them and I like to think I have the pouting thing down to an art. Years of practiced martyrdom have given me a hardened heart and a propensity for envy. Nurturing the negativity and resentment has undermined my ability to truly and honestly let go. Forgiving myself and accepting my own faults and failures will take determination and a great deal of patience. Only then will I be able to stop blaming others for the decisions I’ve made and the results therein.
FRESH – Renewal. The opportunity (and appreciation) for each new day to be a clean slate. What will I learn about myself today? How will I look differently at my world? This might be as simple as taking a new route to work, or starting my morning with a few minutes of yoga or meditation. Perhaps I will hold my tongue when I REALLY want to say my piece. Little shifts in perspective can result in significant changes in our own realities.
FUN – There’s a LOT of “life” that isn’t fun, at least not on the surface. Home repairs, car troubles, job stress, teenagerdom, health crises, etc. And while some of these things really are no laughing matter, most of our day-to-day involves many moments that, when examined with hope and grace in our hearts, can be at least mildly amusing (if only to keep our sanity!). The ability to laugh at oneself and the situation we find ourselves in, is a learned skill. It takes purposeful practice and in no way should be confused with the inability to give weight to those matters requiring such. It’s simply a conscious choice to find fun as often as possible, and when unable to find it, make it!
FORWARD – Pondering the past slows down our capacity to move forward. Yesterday is gone. NOTHING I do can change history. Many of my chapters have already been written and unlike photography, the luxury of post-production editing doesn’t exist. I can’t go back and show myself in a more favorable light. I can’t make myself prettier, stronger, healthier, or more-likable. I can’t take back the hurtful words or bad behavior. But I can tell tomorrow’s tale with a renewed sense of self. I can share my story with an reverence for where I’ve come from and where I am going. I can move forward with purpose instead of regret.
FIT – I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my body for as long as I can remember, as have most women I know. There’s a push now for women (and men alike) to be “comfortable in your own skin.” “Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks; as long as you are happy, that’s all that matters.” Well, yes and no. There is a difference between comfortable and complacent. I’m not satisfied with the way I look or feel right now, so I’ll be taking the necessary steps to make some healthy, fit-based changes in the coming year. I have goals in mind, but most importantly, I realize I need to take care of myself. No one is going to do that for me. And in order for me to take care of my family, sometimes I need to put mama first. Easier said than done, but necessary nonetheless.
FABULOUS – Dahling, you look FABULOUS! Own it. All of it. Take that compliment and know I’m worth it! Stop shrugging off praise, appreciation, or flattery and accept it as truth. Be fierce and fantastic and flirty! Flash that smile and make people wonder what I’m up to! Find and embrace and flaunt the ‘me’ I am meant to be!
Together, these steps will be the driving force behind my new year; a daily mantra of sorts. Perhaps a little clunky, but with enough repetition and maybe a catchy little tune, I should be able to recite it regularly without much trouble:)
Which words will be your focus in 2016? Which steps will you take toward your best self? How will you discover your truth? What story will you tell?