choosing joy in 2014
Each year, I try to choose a word or phrase that I feel like I want to focus on for that year. I also love to make goals or resolutions that I would like to accomplish, but I've found that I do better if I make a few resolutions each month throughout the year and have one broad phrase that I focus on for the whole year.
So, this year, I decided to pick the phrase "choose joy". I've been thinking a lot about what it will be like to become a mom in the next few months. I'm sure there will be so many beautiful, indescribably special moments. Like holding Rowan for the first time. Or when we bring him home. Or the first time he laughs. Each of those moments will be so special and full of joy. But I also know being a mom will be extremely difficult as well. There will be so much more responsibility and chaos and constantly being in a hurry. And choosing to have joy will be significant. Choosing to see the joy in each of the small moments as well as the obvious ones. I know there will be many naturally happy moments - but having joy is a choice.
Like Ann Voskamp said in her book One Thousand Gifts, “I want to see beauty. In the ugly, in the sink, in the suffering, in the daily, in all the days before I die, the moments before I sleep.” Choosing to see beauty in the hard parts. I feel like this is what 2014 will be about. There will be so much to actually be joyful about, but I want to make sure I don't miss those moments. I want to be more aware of them. I want to soak them in. So, to remind myself of this phrase, I decided to make an art print to put up in the house so I'll see it everyday and be reminded to choose joy when it's hard. :)
Do you have any thoughts about the new year? Do you pick a word or make a list of to-dos? Or do you like to stay away from resolutions altogether?
So, this year, I decided to pick the phrase "choose joy". I've been thinking a lot about what it will be like to become a mom in the next few months. I'm sure there will be so many beautiful, indescribably special moments. Like holding Rowan for the first time. Or when we bring him home. Or the first time he laughs. Each of those moments will be so special and full of joy. But I also know being a mom will be extremely difficult as well. There will be so much more responsibility and chaos and constantly being in a hurry. And choosing to have joy will be significant. Choosing to see the joy in each of the small moments as well as the obvious ones. I know there will be many naturally happy moments - but having joy is a choice.
Like Ann Voskamp said in her book One Thousand Gifts, “I want to see beauty. In the ugly, in the sink, in the suffering, in the daily, in all the days before I die, the moments before I sleep.” Choosing to see beauty in the hard parts. I feel like this is what 2014 will be about. There will be so much to actually be joyful about, but I want to make sure I don't miss those moments. I want to be more aware of them. I want to soak them in. So, to remind myself of this phrase, I decided to make an art print to put up in the house so I'll see it everyday and be reminded to choose joy when it's hard. :)
Do you have any thoughts about the new year? Do you pick a word or make a list of to-dos? Or do you like to stay away from resolutions altogether?