Nurture

2024 has continued to bring challenges and stressors.  After a while, even the little things just start to feel like a LOT.  I finally reached a point where I realized I needed have to force myself to withdraw, slow down, and focus on myself and tending to the things that truly matter the most. 

That's why my word for May is "Nurture". 

I started by looking at the definitions of the word "Nurture".  A few of my favorites were:

• to care for and protect someone or something while they are growing and developing

• to help somebody/something to develop and be successful

• to supply with nourishment

I feel as if my health has taken a hit lately.  I continue to struggle with stomach issues.  I'm still on medication and I am scheduled for an upper endoscopy in July.  I have had to change my diet quite a bit.  I'm focusing on healthy foods that nourish my body and help to soothe my stomach and nurture my gut health.

I closed my Etsy shop over six months ago.  As the days and months go by, I have found myself feeling a little unmoored.  I'm trying to figure out what my next season of life is going to look like and I am at completely at a loss.  I'm lacking direction.  I need to start nurturing my dreams and develop some new goals for myself.

After all the stress, hurt feelings, frustration, and anxiety of the past couple of months, indeed to nurture my mental health as well. This means limiting or eliminating exposure to situations and people that don't make me feel like my best self. It also means seeking out activities and situations that nurture my sense of well-being.

The Man of the House and I started the month with a weekend on the beach near Charleston, SC.  It was nice to have time away together as a couple. A few days away from the routines and demands of daily life is a good way to nurture our relationship.

The time away was also definitely nurturing to my soul. Spending time on the beach, just listening to the waves crashing against the sand, feeling the rhythm of the tides, and watching the movement of the water is always soothing for me.  

I am trying to make a point of doing something everyday that nurtures who I am.  One day that may be writing in my journal. The next it may be listening to music I enjoy, The day after that it might look like curling up with a cup of tea and some crochet or a book. It it may be as simple as standing outside for a few minutes and feeling the sun shining on my face.

May is about focusing on the things that nurture my body, mind, and spirit. What things do you do to nurture yourself?

Peace

January and February each brought their own busyness, challenges, and turmoils.  So, when it came time to select a word of the month for March I knew exactly what that word would be.  The thing my spirit was craving at that moment- Peace.

I'm talking about that sense of inner calm,  despite the situations and circumstances surrounding you.  It's not about living a life completely free of troubles or hardship.  It's finding acceptance and tranquility amidst the storms. 

Peace can't be found it in the house you live in, the car you drive, the job title you hold, or the amount in your bank account.  It doesn't come from likes or follows.  

Peace is found in acceptance and mindfulness.  It's knowing who you are, what you believe in, and having a sense of purpose.  It's found in the things and processes that quiet the mind and bring joy to the heart.  

Peace also means a sense of control. Knowing the activities, people, and things that are hurtful to your inner peace and limiting or eliminating them. It is being aware of and capturing negative thoughts rather than dwelling on them.  And cultivating the things, activities, relationships,  and thoughts that nurture your inner peace. 

I find my peace when I sit by the water or take a walk in nature. I find peace in the repetative process of my crochet. In a good book and a warm beverage. It's in the quiet mornings when I spend time in prayer and gratitude. In the calm of holding my baby grandson as he sleeps. In the warm touch of holding my husband's hand. 

What nurtures your sense of peace?

Connect

In 2024 I chose to skip my usual One Word for this year in favor of a Word of the Month. This came about after last year's experiment with doing both. I found that I liked the freshness of a new word to focus on for each month.  My word for February is "Connect".

As we all know - the big "holiday" for this month is Valentine's Day.  Which is all about love.  And to love someone, you need to make time to connect with them and build the relationship.  

In the month of February, I plan to make Connections a priority. 

Connections are important.  With spouses or partners, our family, friends and other loved ones.  We even need to make time and space to (re)connect with ourselves.

For me this will look like:

- Connecting with my husband.  

Prioritizing spending more time together.  This doesn't mean sitting side by side while we watch television or mindlessly scroll on our phones.  It means engaging in some good conversations. Maybe taking some long walks or hikes together (if the weather cooperates). Holding hands more. Kissing more.  Trying to remember to stop what I'm doing to really listen and give him my full attention when he has something to say. Making time for a date night or two - or even a date lunch during the week to give him a break during the work day.

- Connecting with family.  

Sending more texts or phone calls just to say hello and check in with my adult children, parents, sister, and cousins.

- Connecting with myself.

Spending some time in meditation and doing more journaling.  Doing some self evaluation to determine what I want to do with the next season in my life. Writing more for the blog. And participating in more activities that bring me joy.

- Connecting with others

As part of "participating in activities that bring me joy", I am looking into attending a book club at the local library as well as a knitting and crochet group. This could help me to meet some new people and connect with others that share the same hobbies.

Throughout the month I will be thinking about and looking for additional ways to make connections. 

Do you make it a priority to connect with other or yourself on a regular basis?

Not One Word for 2024

 It has become common for many people to select a word for the year.  A word to set the tone or to be the focus for the year.  I have done this for many years.

Not this year.

Here's the thing....

Last year, my one word was Explore.  In that spirit, I decided to select a different word to explore for each month.  And I enjoyed that.  A lot.  I liked having a new focus for each month of the year. It kept things fresh and interesting.  Which is why as 2023 rolled to its conclusion, I decided rather than having one word for the entire year, I would have One Word for each month of 2024! 

My One Word for January is Begin.

It almost feels a little too obvious.  But, it also feels incredibly appropriate.  January is the start of a whole new year.  It's a month meant for new beginnings and fresh starts. 

After having my Etsy shop on vacation for the final quarter of the year, I made the difficult decision to leave it there.  So, business-wise, this year is a new beginning for me.  I'm not entirely sure where this new path is going to lead, but I'm ready for wherever it takes me.

In light of that upcoming new beginning, I have begun to sort through my home office. I am slowly transitioning from office to a craft room. 

I am beginning a new focus on my health.  I am dedicated to moving more often. In January, I begin to work my way up to doing some exercise/movement five days a week. I am beginning to pay less attention to the numbers in the scale and more to the numbers on my lab results. I am especially beginning to pay closer attention to how I feel. I know that I am now at an age where it's more important than ever to take care of my body so that I can keep doing the things I want to do for years to come.

This year I plan to begin actively cultivate even more joy in my life. I will seek out activities, situations, and people that enrich my life and bring me happiness.  I will probably also need to begin eliminating some things that cause stress, anxiety, or unhappiness.

So, there it is. January is my month to Begin.

What about you? Do you have a word for 2024, or for the month of January?

Reflection

My One Word for 2023 is Explore. In the spirit of exploration, I made the decision not to stop at one word this year - but to also have a word for each month.

For November that word is: Reflection

Every year as my birthday comes around on the first of November, I find myself reflecting on my life.  I look back at where I have been and how far I have come over the previous years. I think about where I am now. And I consider where I want to go, what I want to do,  and who I want to be in the future. 

I am reflecting on my personal patterns, habits, and behaviors. What's still working for me? What's no longer working? What can I remove, add, or change to improve my life?

With only two months left in the calender year, this is often when I start thinking about the next one. I reflect on how I did with my goals for the current year and what I might want to accomplish in the next year. I am also reflecting on my one word for next year by looking back at this year and considering making a significant change

This isn't a time for self doubt, criticism, comparison, or negative self talk. Although, if I'm being honest - it sometimes turns into that and has to be guided back to something more positive and constructive. This time of reflection is about remembrance, honest evaluation, and dreaming/planning.

Do you regularly spend time in self reflection and evaluation?

Family

My One Word for 2023 is Explore. In the spirit of exploration, I made the decision not to stop at one word this year - but to also have a word for each month.

For August that word is: Family

My father was born in a Displaced Persons camp in Austria just after World War II ended. He was given up for adoption at age 2, and  was sent to the US to be adopted at age 5.  He knew his biological mother's name thanks to having his original birth and baptism certificates. 

My husband is very into genealogy and over the years we tried to find any information about her, without any luck.  He even bought me one of the Ancestry. com DNA tests several years ago. 

Flash forward to a few months ago where I am DNA matched with a woman as being first or second cousins on my paternal side. And there's my biological grandmother's name in her family tree.  I think it's fair to say that I was in a state of shock and needed to just sit with that information for a little while. 

Finally, the Man of the House convinced me to contact her.  I explained my story and asked what she could tell me about my grandmother. She quickly responded that was her grandmother and that knew her grandmother had given a child for adoption while she was in the camp in Austria. The child's name was my father's name. I immediately started crying and told the Man "It's her!" I messaged back and forth with this newly found cousin for the rest of the evening.

The next morning I texted my dad and told him that I had information about what happened to his birth mother and asked him if he wanted to know what I had discovered. He asked if he could come right over!

I was able to tell him that she had immigrated to Canada in 1949. Unfortunately, she had passed away in 2008, but he has four younger siblings - three brothers and a sister. All still living in Ontario. His mother had never made a secret of him and had tried to find him over the years through the Red Cross with no success. 

My father was able to start communicating with some of his siblings, and last week we made the trip to Canada to meet all of them!  He and his wife drove, while I flew up and met them there. 

It was a wonderful, amazing, crazy, and emotional few days! Honestly, since the very first moments - this has been like living out the plot of some movie.

It's incredible how much my father and his brothers look alike. They have the same hair and eyes. They even have some of the same mannerisms.  There seemed to be an immediate connection between all of them.

It gave me so much joy to see him discovering this missing piece of his story. To get some answers to questions he has always had. And to start building a relationship with his siblings.  I'm so thankful to have been able to play a part in giving that to him.

I have also had the pleasure of meeting my aunt, my uncles, and cousins. They were all so welcoming and kind. I enjoyed hearing stories about my grandmother. It helped me to feel closer to her and to get to know her from those who knew and loved her.  

And I'm happy to say that the cousin I was matched with to start this whole journey and I message, email, and text each other regularly. I now consider her not just my cousin, but also a friend.

And that's why my word for September is Family.

Renew

My One Word for 2023 is Explore. In the spirit of exploration, I made the decision not to stop at one word this year - but to also have a word for each month.

During August, I am exploring the word Renew.

August has always felt like a time of new beginnings to me.  A good month for reflection, refreshing, and renewal.

As we prepare for a new season, we may look to refresh our wardrobe, personal appearance, or home decor.

Children begin preschool or kindergarten, and older ones head off to college leaving behind an empty nest and as parents, we find ourselves facing a new season of life.

It's a month that's perfect for setting new goals, or refreshing your commitment to ones you made earlier in the year.

As for me, this month I will be:

- Taking a hard look at my Etsy shop and reevaluating things. I think it's time for some changes to renew my passion for my work. It may be time for some changes and perhaps some rebranding.

-  Renewing my commitment to healthier habits. In the month of July, my attempts at healthier eating took a bit of a downward spiral. (I'm looking at you birthday cakes, airport food, Disney snacks, room service, and In and Out burger!) It's time to get back on track and stay the course.

- Refreshing and renewing my skincare routine. As my skin matures, and deal with the changes of menopause, I'm not feeling like what I have been doing is entirely working for me any longer. So, I'm trying something new. 

- Renewing the look of our home. Our house was built in the1970s, and it's fair to say that it is showing it's age. We're scheduled to have all new windows installed this week. Once that's completed, it will be time to put up new siding and gutters. Then, we're looking at building a new deck, probably this fall.

Is there an area of your life that could use some renewing in the month of August?

Simplify

My One Word for 2023 is Explore. In the spirit of exploration, I made the decision not to stop at one word this year - but to also have a word for each month.

During July, I am exploring the word Simplify.

Life is complicated. And we can make it even more complicated with our endless busyness.  All the endless activities, the mental and emotional stimulation, the multitasking, and the "stuff" that we cram into our to do lists, our days, our brains, and our home.

Simplify started stirring in my brain as I was listening to an episode of the Authentic Online Marketing Podcast with Ruthie Gray. She was talking about learning to say no and prioritise. Suddenly, it was as if something clicked in my brain and I thought to myself, "I try to do too much at once." 

My main focus for the month is to simplify my monthly and weekly goals as well as my to-do list. I'm simplifying my monthly goals by limiting the number of goals I set myself. Staying focused on a a few top priorities. I will be setting my weekly goals based on the smaller steps I need to taken in order to reach those monthly goals. 

My daily to-do lists will be created by breaking those weekly goals down to even smaller steps. And I'll be keeping them simple by trying not to add a dozen other items each day - just the absolute basics and priorities. Less multitasking. Fewer distractions.

I started simplifying my eating habits last month when my word was Healthy, and I'll be keeping that up for this month. Simple, unprocessed foods: lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. That doesn't mean boring - I'll be trying some new recipes and making some favorites we discovered last month. It just means keeping ingredients to their simplest form - unprocessed, less added sugars, etc. I have to admit - it's been a struggle for me.  But I am slowly making progress.

We'll be going to California for a week later this summer, and I would really like to simplify what and how I pack. I have been thinking about this since our trip to Ireland and the UK last fall, after dragging all my luggage around airports and train stations. It would be nice to stop over packing and simplify what I take on trips. My ideal situation would be carry on only. 

What other areas of life can benefit from being simplified?

Healthy

My One Word for 2023 is Explore. In the spirit of exploration, I made the decision not to stop at one word this year - but to also have a word for each month.

My word for June has been Healthy.

When I went for my yearly physical exam and labs in April, my numbers weren't great.  The good news is that they haven't gotten any worse. But, there wasn't much improvement either. This got me thinking about my overall health.

I'm not getting any younger. But I want to be around for as long as possible. I want to see my grandkids grow up. And maybe get the chance to meet my great grandkids. 

That's not going to happen if I don't take better care of myself.

It's not about being slimmer.  That would be nice, but it wasn't the focus.  It was about improving my cholesterol and blood sugar. It was about improving my energy levels.  It was about improving the quality of my sleep.  It was about how I feel and how I feel about myself. 

I ate more lean proteins, whole grains, and vegetables. I tried to snack more on fruit and less processed snacks. I cut back on the zero sugar soft drinks and drank more water. 

I made time to care for myself. Revamping my skincare routine.  Doing face masks, conditioning hair treatments, and giving myself regular mani/ pedis. 

I took the opportunity to meditate a couple of times a week.  I made time for prayer along with my morning devotional times. I read more and watched the television (especially the news) less. I stood outside and felt the sun on my face.

I know there's still plenty of room for improvement. I didn't exercise as much as I had hoped to do. Or drink as much water.

But right I'm choosing not to focus on what else I could have done. I'm choosing to be proud of what progress I did make, to continue with these healthier habits and to build from there.

Focus

If you've read my One Word for 2023 post, you know that this year I decided that I will also have a word for each month.  (if you haven't read that post yet - go ahead and do it now. I'll be right here when you're done)

My word for May is FOCUS.

You might recall from my May post that I had been feeling a little overwhelmed, scatter-brained, and out of sorts recently. I had a lot of trouble staying on task and accomplishing goals. It has been a real challenge for me.

Which is exactly why FOCUS made so much sense as my next Word of the month!

In April, (and even before that, if I am being honest) I struggled to find my focus. There have been so many different things calling out for my time and attention. As I spent time in the Quiet, I realized that much of the time I should be able to choose what is important to me and where I want to focus my time, attention, and efforts. 

I need to narrow things down. I can't truly give my best to anything if my focus is constantly being divided between dozens of activities, projects, or goals. What is most important? Or, at the very least, what is most important at this given moment? Stay focused on that until it is complete, or until it's time has past.

I am choosing to focus on myself and my health - physical, emotional, and spiritual. Focus on my marriage. Focus on my "children" - they may be grown, but that doesn't mean they don't occasionally still need my attention, help, or support. Focus on my grandchildren. Focus on things that bring me joy. Focus on things that get me closer to who, what, and where I want to be.

Focusing on what is most important isn't easy. It's not as if all the shiny things vying for my attention have just disappeared.  There will always be distractions. But I am slowly beginning to learn how to focus and tune out some of them. 

Where do you focus your time, attention, and effort?

Quiet

 My One Word for 2023 is Explore. In the spirit of exploration, I made the decision not to stop at one word this year - but to also have a word for each month.   

During April, I have been exploring the word Quiet.

Life can feel overwhelmingly loud sometimes.  As I write this, I'm hearing the lawnmower in the yard, the neighbor kids yelling as they play, and my dogs barking at who-know-what outside the window. Wherever you are at any given time - there may be conversations, television, music, traffic, or crowds. There's the 24 hour news cycle, social media and streaming entertainment. Even the voices in our own heads can be very loud. 

This is a challenge for me, because I am very much a person who depends on background noise throughout my day.  Whether it's the television, an audio book, or music - I like to have something making noise while I work on other things.  

I am intentionally seeking Quiet moments in my day.  Turning off as much of the exterior noise as possible and enjoying the stillness that is left in its place. Listening for and appreciating the sounds of silence - the rustle of wind through the new leaves on the trees, the chirping of birds, or my own breathing. 

The hardest part  of finding Quiet has been the voices in my own head - especially the negative ones.  I am trying to find ways for quieting the fears, doubts, insecurities, and worries in order to make a bigger space for gratitude and joy.

A few years ago I was doing regular meditation, but recently I let that habit slip away.  It's something I would like to get back to.  Those few minutes of being quiet and still.  Finding the quiet space inside myself.  I haven't done it yet, but for the second half of the month I am going to prioritize it as part of my morning routine.

Do you enjoy the quiet or do you prefer to have the background sound?

Actions

My One Word for 2023 is Explore. In the spirit of exploration, I made the decision not to stop at one word this year - but to also have a word for each month.  

My word for March is Actions.

Actions came to mind as I was reflecting on my words for the first two months of the year:  Create and Love.  I realized that both of these words require action.  

You can't create without doing something.  Just thinking of or being inspired with an idea or isn't enough.  It requires action to actually bring it to fruition and create something from the concept. It is in the action that the actual creating occurs.

We often think of love as a feeling.  But just feeling love isn't enough.  You can say, "I love you", but with out actions to demonstrate that love - they are just empty words.  Love is - at the heart of it (no pun intended) - an action word. 

Without actions, goals are little more than dreams. You can write them down and make all the plans. But unless you take actions, you will most likely never achieve those goals.

Imagine the life you want to live, the person you want to be, and the things you want to do. Just dreaming about these things is not going to make them reality. You have to take actions if you want to live that ideal life. 

So, this month I am taking action. I am taking steps to.complete some projects that have been on my to-do list for weeks, months, or (in some cases) even years. I am thinking about - and actually taking action on - small steps every day that move me closer to the ideal life I want to live and the person I want to be. 

What actions will.you take this week?

Love

If you've read my One Word for 2023 post, you know that this year I decided that I will also have a word for each month.  (if you haven't read that post yet - go ahead and do it now. I'll be right here when you're done)

My word for February is Love.

It seems appropriate since this is the month of Valentine's day, but I'm not focusing on romance when I think about the word love. For the month of February (and beyond) love is about so much more than hearts, and cupids, and chocolates.

When I think about a life of Love, for me, it all starts with Mstthew 22:37-39.

Love God.  Love others as yourself. So, this month I will focus on:

Loving God.  Taking time each day to read Scripture and to pour out my heart to him in prayer.  To meditate on what His word says about His love for me. And what it tells me I should be doing to love others. 

Loving myself.  Showing myself appreciation..  Focusing on the beauty and strength of my body and spirit instead of perceived negatives.  Appreciating the stage of life I am in and living it to the fullest. Showing myself some kindness in the form of self-care.  And treating myself to activities and things that bring me joy.

Loving others. Making time to connect with family and friends. Telling the people I care about that I love them - with both words and actions. Expressing kindness to others.  Treating them the way I would want to be treated.

And, yes - since Valentine's day is this month, I'm sure there will be some lovey-dovey,  romantic moments with the Man of the House tossed in for good measure. And maybe some chocolates. Because- why not?

Create

 If you've read my One Word for 2023 post, you know that this year I decided that I will also have a word for each month.  (if you haven't read that post yet - go ahead and do it now. I'll be right here when you're done)

My word for January is Create.

What does this mean?  Well... for me, it means...

To explore ways to be creative in my work and hobbies.

To create healthy habits for the new year.

Create time for the people I love.

Create time for the activities I enjoy.

Create pleasant spaces in which to work and live.

To create the best possible me.

Create a life I love.