Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts

Monday, January 4, 2021

My One Word for 2021

Instead of making New Year resolutions, some people choose One Word for the year.  Sometimes the word seems to pick you.  Such was the case with my word for 2021.

I love it when my word for the next year comes to me early - usually in the late fall sometime. That's what happened this year.  Around the end of October or the beginning of November, my One Word for 2021 first became known to me.  

The word that presented itself was "Challenge"



My initial reaction?  "Oh - NO, thank you." After the year that 2020 turned out to be, the last thing I wanted was more challenges in my life!  I mean, c'mon! Give a gal a break already! Amiright?  How about "calm"?  Or "peace"?

The word kept coming up.  Everywhere I turned there seemed to be a new sign pointing me in that direction. I wasn't going to be easily convinced though.  I thought about it.  A lot.  I prayed about it.  A LOT.  I kept asking God over and over to give me another word for 2020.  An easier word. Any. Other. Word.  

But as week after week passed and we moved closer to the end of the year, Challenge persisted in its campaign to become the One Word for 2021.  It weighed on my mind.  It began to create a hazy image of what a year of Challenge might look like. Surprisingly, it wasn't necessarily bad.

So...  I surrendered to the word.  And that's how "Challenge" became my One Word for 2021.  

2021 will be a year for me to challenge myself.  A challenge to let go of all the baggage from 2020 and move forward to whatever the future holds for me. To try new things.  To stretch outside the cozy little comfort zone that all the uncertainty of the past year inspired me to create for myself.  It will be a year for challenging myself to create new routines and habits and let go of ones that I have outgrown. To try new things.  To have new experiences.  A year for growth and renewal.

Do you set resolutions or select a word or phrase to guide you through the year?  Tell me about it in the comments!




Monday, October 1, 2012

30 Days of Activity: The NEW Challenge!

Confession time y'all:  I'm a couch potato.  A computer zombie.  My motto is "I don't run unless I am being chased". Truth is: I'm lazy.  My weight, body shape, and energy level are testimony to it.  I feel confident in saying that no one has ever looked at me and thought, "Wow!  Really?  She doesn't work out?  Amazing!"  Nope. Never.  (or - if they did, the comment was heavy with sarcasm.)

This is why I have decided it makes sense to make my next personal challenge: 30 Days of Activity.

For the next 30 days, I will do some sort of activity each day; whether it's going for a walk, riding the stationary bike, doing some sit ups or push ups, some sort of stretches, or playing a game. 

30 Days of Activity - with no excuses!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Challenge Me!!

I enjoyed challenging myself to the Seven Days Without Coffee and documenting the process very much.  So much, that I'm already thinking ahead to the next challenge!  I have a few ideas of my own; such as 7 Days Without Sugar, 30 Days of Exercise, or 7 Days Without Gluten.  But I could use your help! 

What should I challenge myself to next?


Please leave your reasonable challenge ideas in the comments.  

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Seven Days Without Coffee: Complete!!

Yah!!  I did it!  I went seven whole entire days without coffee!  (I know!!  I'm still amazed I didn't cave too!)  What better way to celebrate than....

with a hot steaming cup of coffee, of course!! 

I invite you all to share a cup along with me.  I am having a nice dark roast with plenty of half & half, a little sweetener, and a dash of pumpkin syrup. 

Oh, how I have missed you!!

Read more of "Seven Days Without Coffee" Here:

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Seven Days Without Coffee: Makes One Weak

Day Seven has finally arrived! Seven days without coffee is almost complete! I can't believe I have come to the end of this short but challenging journey.


credit: www.zazzle.com
I can almost taste the dark, rich cup of delicious caffeine now.  I will probably spend the night dreaming in anticipation of returning to my one true vice.  If I sleep at all.  Would it defeat the entire purpose if I got up at midnight to enjoy a cup pot?

What was the point you may ask?  Um... well... 

I was a teeny tiny bit concerned about my reaction to the very thought of doing it.  Seemed like a little red flag.  So, this was mostly just to prove to myself that I could. That I had the will power to walk away from it. 

And I did!!  :0)

Tomorrow, tomorrow - I love ya tomorrow!


Read more of "Seven Days Without Coffee" Here:

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Seven Days Without Coffee: Is Ironic

I had to chuckle at the irony.  Day Two of the "Seven Days Without Coffee" challenge began with me sipping tea out of a cup clearly labelled to be used for coffee.


It was my own way to trying to mentally trick myself.  I see the cup sitting there and think "Mmmm... coffee!" Pick up the cup, take a  big sip.  Not coffee.  

Read more of "Seven Days Without Coffee" Here:

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Seven Days Without Coffee: The Challenge

After viewing The Belle of the Carnival's video blog about her week without coffee, the question kept running through my mind: Could you go a week without coffee?

Now, of course my first response was:  Nope... No... No way... Not a chance! 

Which made me start wondering about other things.  Such as: Is it really bad that I had a strong reaction to the idea of a week without coffee?  Is that actually a sign that I need to go a week without coffee to detox myself from it's rich delicious caffeiney goodness?  (yes, caffeiney is a word.  If it's not - well, I just invented it)

After much mental wrestling over these questions (and a few others, most of which are not related to this story), I decided to give it the ol' college try. 

I checked the tea stash.  (What?  I'm not crazy.  I have no intention of facing caffiene detox headaches without some sort of backup!) A nice collection of Earl Gray, English Breakfast, Chamomile, Peppermint, and various herbals?  Check.  Local sourwood honey and sugar?  Check. It seemed as if all the pieces were already in place; as if the universe were saying: Go ahead.  You can do this.  Go for it.

So, tomorrow begins my challenge: Seven Days Without Coffee.  Which yes, I fully intend to document right here for your reading pleasure.

Will I survive?  Will those around me? 

You can read more of the Seven Days Without Coffee Series here: