My "word" for 2013

I had never heard of selecting a "word" for the New Year before seeing it on many friends' blogs this week.  The idea started growing on me.  I am not a fan of resolutions, per se, as they are rarely kept and are so general like "be happy," "be healthy" or "lose 50 pounds."  We've heard them all before.  No how, no why, no little steps, just broad statements.  In my dad's sermon this past Sunday, he talked about having goals instead of resolutions and how with God's help, we can achieve those goals one step at a time.

So, with that in mind, I started thinking about a word that encompasses the goals that I have set for myself in 2013.

2012 was filled with many good memories.  I blogged my "2012: A Look Back" post and you can see it here.  It was a good year and as I said in the post itself, "Much has happened; memories have been made, lessons have been learned, love has been shared."

Looking to 2013, what would I want to focus on within myself and permeate more to those around me?  After much thought, I came up with

(thank you SO much to Melanie from at Only A Breath for the beautiful button!)

OPTIMISM

In the dictionary, it is defined as:

1) a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome

2) the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world. 

Synonyms: confidence, hopefulness, cheerfulness.

What a word!  It really sums it all up, doesn't it?  To exude confidence, hopefulness and cheerfulness while knowing that good will predominate over evil and to always see the best in any situation.

The optimism of children in their innocence doesn't seem to last very long.  What happens to adults that they become so negative, so down, so much in a "rush" that the beauty of each situation, no matter how small, is somehow missed or overlooked?

The simple joy of my children, like in these photos from midnight on New Year's is what I want to focus on, cherish even more and encourage.  Life truly is too short to worry, rush and not have a cheerful disposition.  Children will, looking back, I truly believe, remember a mom who smiled and sat down to play before one who shooed them away so she could clean up; they will remember a mom who stopped to smell the roses with them rather than the one who shooed them along so they wouldn't be late.  And so on.

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."--Joshua 1:9

"So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own.  There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings."--Matthew 6:34

"Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you.  I do not give it as the world does.  Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid."--John 14:27

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."  And He who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."  Also He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."-- Rev. 1:1-27

A quick thank you to all of my readers, friends and family who voted for my blog in the recent Homeschool blog awards.  I was so humbled to be named in the Top Ten for Homeschool Mom blogs and was recently notified that I also was awarded this honor in the photo category.  I just LOVE taking photos.  My kids laugh that my camera is permanently attached to me!  :-)  Maybe it is my little way of trying to capture and preserve their childhoods, because I know that the time is fleeting and they are growing up too fast.  :-)

Linking up with  Word 2013 at Ben and Me and these lovely ladies: Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop, NOBH, Weekly Wrap-up, Homeschool Mother's Journal, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Fun Friday, and Only a Breath.