I thought today was going to include a recap of 2013, but now I’m not even sure if I’m going to do a recap because honestly I’m more focused on the future than the past.
I’ll just go ahead and say that 2013 wasn’t my year.
I knew it probably wasn’t going to top 2012 (you know, because I couldn’t get engaged or married again or go on the best honeymoon ever or re-adopt Ozzie… and all of that stuff) but it was a bit crappier than I imagined.
The highlights of last year included traveling to new places and seeing family and friends and just spending lots of time celebrating special events. We danced at weddings, we held new babies, we took shots when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, and we took a little weekend getaway to celebrate our first year of marriage.
So you see, I can’t really complain, because 2013 wasn’t a bad year, it just wasn’t as awesome as I’m hoping 2014 is going to be.
I think getting laid-off was definitely the low point of the last year. Even though it taught me a great many things about myself and what I want to be doing in the future, it almost afforded me too much ‘me’ time and I didn’t use it as productively as I could have. I don’t think it was necessarily depression, I think it was a sense of helplessness/boredom/not knowing what to do with myself that kept me from making the most out of my time.
Anyway, I think of 2013 as a year of being a bit stagnant.
But 2014 will include some change and life transitions, and I love a good life transition!
… The Husband started a new job in December, as did I, so we’re excited to see where these new opportunities lead.
… We’ll be moving in March (I think…) after being in our current place for 2 years.
… And I’m currently working on some travel plans, so we can ensure that 2014 will include some new experiences/adventures/places.
So I think it’s looking up, overall, and for that I’m excited!
Anyway, this wasn’t supposed to be a recap post, it was supposed to be about my 2014 theme, which I like to do in one word. Last year my word was ‘Freedom‘ and this year my word will be ‘Still’.
Focusing on a theme really helped me last year, and I’m excited to see how my theme helps to shape my year in 2014.
The inspiration for this word was one of my favorite Bible verses (Exodus 14:14):
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
To me this word means to live in the present.
It means to pray more and worry less.
To take control over anxious thoughts.
It means to journal often and with deeper thought instead of simply recapping my days.
And it means blogging the same way.
To be still, to me, means to quiet negative thoughts about myself and others.
And to not let anger control thoughts and actions.
It means to embrace quiet time and tea and not use TV to distract me from myself.
It means to read more.
It means to trust in God and His plans for my life.
And to really think before making decisions.
It means to focus on each day and quit worrying (excessively) about the future.
So these are my plans for 2014! I want to be still.
(But I also want to continue to be productive, loving, and as active as possible.)
Feel free to help hold me accountable to this ‘resolution’!
Cheers to a new year and new beginnings!
