Word of the Year

Raise your hands if you’re tired of New Year’s Resolutions that just don’t stick.  Yep, that’s what I thought. A whole bunch of arms flapping around because New Year’s Resolutions just point out something that is “wrong” with you that you’re trying to change.  And who wants to start out the year with their flaws glaring at them? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Me neither, girlfriend. A couple of years ago I decided not to set a New Year’s Resolution but to instead choose a Word of the Year.  I’m pretty sure I got the idea from one of my Thirty-One Sister’s, the fabulous Kelly Ricketts.

In 2017 my word was “CHANGE.”  In my mind, the “change” that I would experience in 2017, was going to be a change in our physical location.  You see, back then, my husband was up for a promotion that would move us from Upstate, NY to Pennsylvania, which would mean that I was going home.  And let me tell you what, when I first moved to Upstate, NY over 10 years ago, I was only supposed to be here on an eighteen-month assignment with my corporate gig.  (PS: I also told them at the time that I would move anywhere BUT Upstate, NY… and yet, here I am.)

I truly thought it was part of God’s Plan that I was finally going to get to go home.  I missed my family and it made me sad to miss out on everybody’s birthday parties. I wanted to raise my kids in our big loud, everybody’s all up in your business Puerto Rican family.  In our culture, family is EVERYTHING and it was incredibly difficult raising my boys so far away from them. Not to mention that Sean had serious health problems and I was stressed and struggling with anxiety – I just needed my Mom.  Sometimes you just need your Mom, you know?

Before he went on any of the interviews, Jeff and I agreed that if he didn’t get the job that we would take it as God’s Plan that we’re supposed to be here in Glens Falls.  

I was beyond crushed when we found out that he didn’t get the job.  My dreams of going home were dashed and now I was “stuck” here in Upstate, NY – where the snow starts in October and lasts until April.  I have Caribbean blood! I’m not meant for all of this snow and sub-zero temperatures!

Little did I know it, but God was planning on a different kind of “change” for me.  2017 was the year that I began journaling every morning in addition to reading devotionals.  It was the year that for the first time ever, I sat down and wrote out my dreams and goals for the entire year.  Have you ever tried making this kind of small change in your life? Adding in small details like this can make a huge impact on your future self!

The “change” was in my heart and my mind.  I grew closer to the Lord that year. I read books about faith like The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren and The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson.    I even ended up joining a Bible Study and Pastoral Council at my church!  What? Who is this person? There was a definite change in me, and let’s be real, it’s not a change in location… I’m still freezing here in Upstate, NY.  

In 2018 My word was “BALANCE.”  As a wife, mom and entrepreneur, it’s easy to be pulled in different directions.  2018 was the year that I decided to reclaim how I spent my time.

I learned how to say, “no,” to things when the people pleaser in me wanted to say “yes,” just to make everybody else happy.  You guys… did you know that you have the power to say no?? It feels so good! I said no to things that took up my time and made me feel yucky, like being on different committees.  I said no to being in the PTA, but if you need cookies for the bake sale, I’ll be more than happy to spend some quality time with my kids baking them! Does it make me a bad mom because I don’t want to be involved in all of these things?  Nope! At the end of the day, my kids would rather that I’m happy Mom than stressed out and yelling Mom. And that is exactly the kind of mom I want to be for my kids. Have you ever caught yourself in that exact situation? Saying yes to those “extras” is saying no to your “family” as so boldly stated by my favorite girl, Rachel Hollis.   

I learned that it is important to say “yes” to the things that make my heart happy and fill me with joy, like going for sushi on a Monday night with my mom squad or clearing my work calendar to take the boys to the lake on a Tuesday.  Who doesn’t want to ditch work on a hot summer day and just play? Our summers are way too short here and we live in a beautiful area, I decided that 2018 would be my year to embrace it! Did you know that people pay money to come and stay around these parts to vacation?  I suppose living around here isn’t so bad afterall. When is the last time you decided to take a day off from your “to-do” list and focus on your family or do something spontaneous with them? I can tell you that before I decided to focus on balance, I was not the kind of mom I dreamt of when Jeff and I decided I would leave my corporate career so that I could be a hands-on mom.  

And you know what I learned?  That I am happier when I don’t let other people dictate my schedule.  That I feel freer when I take time off to do fun things with my family and friends.  And do you know what else? I had my best year ever in my business when I started saying “no.”  Now it’s your turn! Don’t let yourself get in your own way to searching out your word of the year!  You can have your very own BEST year as a woman, mom or in business if you make the decision RIGHT NOW to make that change.  

ABUNDANCE. This is my word of 2019. I prayed for a word a few weeks ago and ABUNDANCE kept coming through. I kept pushing it aside. Surely not, I thought. I just read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I don’t need MORE things in my life. And then God spoke softly to me. He said that He wants to give to me abundantly, and it’s not THINGS He wants to share.  Phew, that’s good news! Because I am on a mission to get stuff out of this house! After more praying and journaling, I found my confirmation in my memory verse for that week. “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.”  Psalm 128:2  By the way, have you ever thought about having a memory verse? Check out my post, “A Cup of Coffee with God,” to see how I use these.   It is still early in the year and all I can say is WOW! He has provided with ABUNDANCE for me! He is shining a Light on my path and is pushing me even more in my Leap of Faith.  Can you believe that I have a real live website? It’s real, that’s how you’re reading this… so cool, right!? Have you picked your word of the year? If so, share it with me on Facebook or Instagram.   It’s never too late to pick your Word of the Year! Whether you’ve picked yours or not, download the FREE Word of the Year worksheet that I’ve created for you!  This is what I use to help me be intentional about my word of the year. Once you’ve filled it out, snap a photo and share it with us and use the hashtags #anchoredwithpurpose and #awpwordoftheyear.  I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do this year! God has big plans for you, girlfriend!

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