So, when I was asked to choose a "star" word for the year at work AND saw that was the prompt for Finish the Sentence Friday, I thought maybe this was the time to drift back to this distant, but familiar spot.
I've never been very big on resolutions. I've made them half-heartedly and, like most, they fall by the wayside within a few weeks or months. It's the same with the word of the year trend that has erupted the past few years. It never hurts to give it some thought, though.
Have you ever heard of Star Words or Star Gifts? It is a spiritual twist on the idea of a word of the year. It is a tradition that coincides with the Christian celebration of Epiphany which focuses on the journey of the Wise Men or Magi who followed the tar to find and offer gifts to Jesus. Often, the star words are simply given out and people are asked to focus throughout the year on the word they have been given. We did it a little differently, though. We were offered a variety of words written on stars and had the opportunity to choose one that "spoke" to us. So what word did I choose?
My word is IMAGINE and this here are the reasons why.
I chose this word at work because I want to imagine new ways to do things. I work at a church that is pretty traditional, but we are preparing for change because we will have a new pastor soon. Tradition is great, but, in my opinion, we need some new energy, some new ideas, some new . . . something!
At home, I have started a new diet plan. Yes - you have permission to roll your eyes! I mean, how cliche, right? New year, new diet! It deserves and eye roll. However, I'm not doing it because it's a new year. I'm doing it because a few minor but significant things have happened lately that have pushed me "over the edge" and propelled me to attempt yet another weight loss plan. (The timing just happens to coincide with the new year.) I'm trying to imagine personal place where I don't hate my reflection anymore and I'm working to get myself there.
I'm actually trying NOT to imagine what life will look like in the fall. My oldest daughter is a senior in high school this year and we are in the midst of the college application process. Actually, the applications are done, so we are really in the midst of waiting - waiting for acceptances and scholarship notifications (hopefully!) so we can make a final decision. It is nerve-wracking & gut-wrenching. In the end, I'll be sending her off somewhere and we will all be entering a whole new phase of life.
Lastly, I am imagining what it might be like to write again. It's one of those things that is just in my soul. I frequently compose blog posts in my head. Blogging had become a burden, though, and I lost that for a while. I'm in a very different stage of life compared to when I started. I have teenagers, not toddlers. With a different focus and no pressure put on myself to write on a particular schedule, I think I might find myself back here a little more often and I'm looking forward to that.
Speaking of writing again, I wrote something about my 20 books to read in 2020. At the time, I wasn't sure I'd be coming back to write here, so I submitted it another, NC local website. You can read it HERE.
What are you imagining in this new year and new decade?
This is a Finish the Sentence Friday post. FTSF is hosted by Kristi at Finding Ninee.
8 comments:
I've composed so many blog posts in my head over the past year. I'll get in the bed at the end of the day and be disappointed that I didn't make it happen. This year I'm trying journaling and hoping some of it makes it to my blog. I never heard of star words or gifts but I like the thought of calling it a tradition. Imagine is a great one. Whoa to your oldest going to college this year! All of our kids have been really little on our blogging journeys, it's crazy to see everyone growing up so fast. You totally freaked me out about your middle one getting her permit.
very cool
what can be more fundamental to growth (and change and development) than imagination? to see what is not yet is, imo (and in many other's opinion) the essential first step.
can't be getting anywhere new unless you can imagine it first.
That's a great point! Hopefully, the imagination will definitely be my first step to growth and change.
Her getting her permit freaks me out, too!! Can't believe my oldest will be going to college int he fall and my youngest only has one more year of middle school let. It's really crazy. They were so little when I started writing here. I think time is my biggest blogging hurdle - every time I think of something, I never find time to sit down and type it out until the idea has fizzled or is no longer relevant.
So many possibilities with "imagine." And so many changes for you in 2020, Lisa. I know how you feel, but I hope, as it was for me, that the anticipation of your daughter leaving will be harder than the actual transition. Imagine a new normal...when you read 20 books, make the changes you want in your diet, and write whenever you feel the urge!
Ok, first I love your word- imagine as it really has so many infinite possibilities for the year ahead. Second, (an cornier reasons) reminds me of John Lennon's famous song with the same name. Dare I hope and imagine for better outcomes overall for this year on all fronts. That said, I have almost teenagers here and as you know from reading my article this week I am going through some similar growing pains with my writing and more because of that. While my girls are not anywhere near senior year here, I have one entering middle school in the fall, which is definitely leaving me with a myriad of emotions. Still, I know that it is out of my control and I need to try to roll with it. Good luck to your daughter and got my fingers crossed she gets into all the school she applied to and can pick whichever is her top choice. Hugs and so glad to see you back here <3
Holy cow - 2018! I didn't even know.
And I'm in shock that one of your kids is college-bound. I feel like we all still have babies. Sigh!
I love what you said about new energy with a new Pastor, and also a new diet plan doesn't deserve eye rolls!
Imagine is such a great word. I love it. I know what you mean about life changing with our kids, too. I mean, wow, I started writing when I wanted information about kids who were delayed but not diagnosed, and Tucker was three years old. Now, he wears deodorant and is 10. Gah.
Sending one to college is hard, I know... when I think about that day, I try to think about how excited I was to go and how much growth I had being really away (although I know some kids are better off living at home or whatever works for them). I will of course, be a little lost.
I hope you will come back to blogging more - I miss the way it was when I started. Remember BlogU? Wow. It seems ages ago but also so does having a new baby at home! I'm really glad this worked out for you with choosing a star (cool thing at Church!) and also having me getting on this weird band wagon that also isn't so weird and maybe will help us all...
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