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January 4, 2018

Three Words and a Song for 2018

27 Comments/ 98/ 0

For the past few years I have chosen 3 focus words to help guide me through the year.  In 2017 I chose Thrive, Vigilant and Surpass.  I am not sure I really kept them at the forefront as much as I should have but it’s a new year and I am going to attempt to do better with my focus words for 2018.

There is always so much that distracts me.  I don’t always succeed in staying on track and that is an issue.  I want to really hone in on the words that are chosen this year and make them the center.  Not because anyone is telling me to do it but because I want to have a goal and feel that at the end of 2018 I have achieved something.  2017 was a year filled with distractions and diversions.  Life is like that, isn’ t it?

Choosing my words this year has been difficult and I am still not convinced they are THE ones but I need to choose so here we go.

Nurture : the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone or something. I love that this word can be a noun and a verb.  I believe I am a naturally nurturing person but I want to take it to the next level in 2018 and really grow this side of me in 2018.  There are so many opportunities to nurture and I am going to start within my own family by showing that side of myself to them more and in different ways.

Intentional: done on purpose; deliberate. This is a repeat word that I focused on several years ago but I feel the need to revisit it.  I tend to flit around from thing to thing, project to project and I want to focus more on being intentional in all of my activities.  Whether it is this blog and providing good content to my readers or simply following through on cleaning out those closets and drawers it all matters.  This is the year to focus and really be purposeful and deliberate in my actions.

Breathe :to pause and rest before continuing, to feel free of restraint.   This is one I love.  It goes along with my “BE” word from before but will allow me to stop and think, rest and reflect before jumping into something headfirst.   I have found myself in that position lately.  I want to solve problems and issues so I come up with what “I” think is a wonderful idea, execute it and then realize that it really is not the best thing for the situation. In 2018 I am going to strive to be more mindful by taking time to step back, breathe and  re -evaluate before I take action.

So there you have them.  My three words for 2018.  Do you choose a focus word or words?  I know many of you do.  Please share them with me in the comments section so I can encourage you this year with your words.  All comments this month will go to support our Comments for a Cause – Cooperative Christian Ministry.  You can read about that by clicking on the highlighted text.

I usually pick a song as well and this year I chose “Beautiful Things” by Gungor.  We are all beautiful.  In so many ways.  Don’t ever forget that.  There is always hope that something good will come out of what seems to be bad.  (Side note:  I rode a shuttle bus to the airport with them once.  Another brush with fame.)

Beautiful Things
Gungor
All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change, at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come out from this ground, at all?
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
All around,
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found, in you
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
Oh, you make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
You make me new,
You are making me new
You make me new,
You are making me new
(Making…

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2018 Beautiful Things focus words resolutions words to focus on. Gungor
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27 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Darlene
    January 04, 2018 at 06:12 am

    Three great words, Beth Ann. This year I chose create, happiness and friendship. Not sure why, they just popped in my head. I love the song too. (So does my young friend who is with me listening to it right now) Thanks!! 2018 will be a great year for all of us.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:41 am

      AH. I love your words and they seem quite appropriate for you! The song is really good, isn’t it? Hope your 2018 is fabulous in every way.

      Reply
  2. Virginia
    January 04, 2018 at 07:03 am

    Love the words! So much about life in them. And that song?! Oh my goodness. That was my song that first year that Shane was in our family. At first, when I listened, I thought that it was describing Shane and his pain. Then I realized that it was describing what I was experiencing. Because of all of the pain that I saw in him, I knew that I would never be the same. And I’m not. And that is a good and powerful thing, thanks be to God. So thank you for reminding me of that and renewing that spirit of hope for God’s healing in us! Love you!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:40 am

      I thought of you when I chose the song because I remembered you equated it with Shane. Your experience with it and how it changed your view from him to you stuck in my mind. It is a powerful song. Love you!

      Reply
  3. Marci B
    January 04, 2018 at 08:35 am

    Good words. You may have seen on my Instagram, that my word for the year is persistence! (I’m re-doing my cards, adding new ones and aim to sell more than I did last year!)

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:39 am

      I thought about persistence as well but set it aside because I felt like intentional was more of what I was going for. I know you will do well with your cards this year – they are amazing and you have a gift!

      Reply
  4. Deb
    January 04, 2018 at 09:31 am

    I live your New Years posts! Inspiring!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:38 am

      Thank you so much, Deb, for stopping by and commenting. I really find that it helps to have the words to focus on. Kind of keeps me grounded in a way. Hope you are well!

      Reply
  5. Mama's Empty Nest
    January 04, 2018 at 10:13 am

    Good choices for the new year. Wishing you much success as you keep your focus on them.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:37 am

      Thank you! It has been a really good practice for me and I hope this year it will continue.

      Reply
  6. Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
    January 04, 2018 at 11:14 am

    Love it! Here’s to an intentional and nurturing New Year that you take time for yourself and breathe! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:37 am

      Hey–that’s pretty good, Val! Love it!

      Reply
  7. susi_snapsSusi
    January 04, 2018 at 11:37 am

    I don’t do resolutions and while I’ve thought of picking a word or two, I’ve never intentionally done that either. For the past few days two words have been flitting around my head — simplicity and positivity. I’m thinking those are good words to stick to. One of the things I want to do again this year is my #somethinggood Instagram/photography project I did two years ago… it’s a good way to keep gratitude in my everyday life!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:36 am

      I love those words. I think those are words that I could embrace as well and I I did love your #somethinggood photography project. It really does help to focus on the good and keep the gratitude flowing. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  8. Encore Voyage
    January 04, 2018 at 11:49 am

    Those are great words, Beth Ann! I have a sign above my desk that says, “Live Less Out of Habit, and More Out of Intent!” Here’s to a year of intentionally nurturing yourself and others! ~ Lynn

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:34 am

      That is a perfect sign! I may have to make my own. Thank you so much for that thought! It is perfect!

      Reply
      1. Encore Voyage
        January 05, 2018 at 05:02 pm

        I knew you’d like it. We’re alike in many ways! ~ Lynn

        Reply
  9. Josh
    January 04, 2018 at 12:14 pm

    A worthy goal!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:34 am

      Thanks, Josh!

      Reply
  10. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    January 04, 2018 at 02:41 pm

    I have not heard that song, but, oh, how beautiful.

    As far as the word “nurture,” you’ve already got that down. I find you to be one of the most nurturing people I know. And I am grateful for that quality in you and for you.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:34 am

      It is hauntingly beautiful, isn’t it? I love it. And thank you so much for the kinds words. I think I need to always focus on nurture. Always. So here we go –trying to make a difference.

      Reply
  11. priscillaking
    January 04, 2018 at 02:55 pm

    Hmm…this is the second blog I follow that’s gone from a reader-friendly, one-post-at-a-time format to a messy bulletin-board format. I don’t often revisit bulletin-board-format web sites. Did you choose to make this change?

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 04, 2018 at 07:42 pm

      Not sure why it is showing up for you that way. I have changed nothing and am self hosted so not really aware that anything has changed. It still looks exactly the same on my laptop and iPad and phone. Mystery???

      Reply
  12. Dianna
    January 04, 2018 at 08:42 pm

    Nice choice of words. I’ve never chosen a word for the year, but I think it’s a great idea!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 05, 2018 at 07:31 am

      Thanks, Dianna. It has been a good practice for me and I am so glad that I do it. Even if I don’t do as well as I want to with it it is good to have an idea of where I want to focus my attention during the year.

      Reply
  13. Jeni / JeniEats (@JeniEats)
    January 06, 2018 at 09:36 am

    Agree – inspiring choice of words. I don’t remember what mine was last year – I’ll keep trying to stay present.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      January 07, 2018 at 08:53 am

      I Must admit I had to go back and look up my words so I obviously did not keep them in front of me as much as I should have. I think staying present is a great way to embrace the new year!

      Reply

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