Simple

It's February 2nd. Ground Hog Day.

2012 is 1/12th of the way completed.

Spring is coming ...

I've been mulling over words to choose for February, and there was a great list. So many super words. I loved Gratitude for January, and have had a LOT of things to be grateful for - a new job for Dennis, training a new person so I can have an occasional weekend off, health, spending time with friends, continued strength for my dad, etc. Gratitude will continue to be a focus through the year for our family.

However, I sensed that for February I needed a word that would help me deal with all the changes that are forthcoming with the new job and new schedule and routine. I tend to be overwhelmed easily. I tend to think "I can't do _________ until I finish ___________" and then, because I over complicate things or over think them, before you know it, NOTHING is completed.

So, my word for February, which should probably be my theme for the year is ....

SIMPLIFY

It may not seem "earth shattering" to most, but it is truly important to me to try to remember to focus on simple.

For our new schedule, we'll be eating dinner together again as a family. When it was just Sam and I, Soup, Grilled Cheese, PBnJ, MacNCheese w/chicken & Veggies and Spaghetti could get us through the week. However, we now need a meal plan so that we can get a handle on the week's dinners. We will all be together and getting home at the same time. I've given tons of advice to others - just write it down, it doesn't have to be complicated, etc. Yet when it came time for me to make our meal plans, I was all over the internet, researching, trying to come up with a spreadsheet, etc. I SO need SIMPLE.

Simplify life - less is more. My overall goal is to find one thing per day to simplify or to just SIMPLY do, rather than complicating it with conditional values (complicated way of technically procrastinating, I suppose).

Through this simplifying, other alluring words that I considered for this month will have more impact, because I will be able to embrace them, and truly ENJOY the words.

Now, I need to go simplify some paperwork on my desk!!!

2012 Words for Each Month

Last year on KLOVE radio, I heard about choosing a "word" for the year instead of making a New Year's Resolution. I thought it was a good idea. I didn't do it.

On New Year's Eve, my brother-in-law decided instead of toasting to the New Year at midnight, we'd all give a "word" for the year. I am not sure I can remember the word I chose. Never mind that it was only 6 days ago. Trying to remember a word for an entire year is obviously beyond my ability.

So I decided instead to pick a word for each month. That will also give me something to Blog about each month.

I picked my word for January, 2012 on Tuesday. Actually, I think God GAVE me my word on my way to work, while I was grumbling about how early it was and how much I didn't want to go sit in an office...

G R A T I T U D E

There were more thoughts that ran through my mind - ones about attitude and making sure my attitude matched the gratitude I should have. But at the risk of sounding too much like Dr. Suess, I'm just going to stick with Gratitude.

When I am feeling a little overwhelmed or out of control, focusing on Gratitude enables me to regain order in my mind.

Gratitude allows me to share with others rather than focus on my wants.

One of my favorite Veggie Tales has Madame Blueberry learning that a "Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart". Who doesn't want that?

So, on the days that I start out with a struggle to "get it all together", I will put GRATITUDE in focus and remember all the blessings and overwhelming love I have in my life.

I want to spill out thankfulness to everyone I come in contact with.

2012 - January - GRATITUDE