Let It Be...

I love the blogging community. I love the ladies I have met, the way our lives are connected despite distance and unlikelihood that our path would ever otherwise cross while out and about experiencing this life in our large world. 

When I say that I blog, many reactions I receive are mixed. I find that the blogging community is always encouraging, always loving, and always growing. I have been extremely encouraged by the sweet, wise, mature, faithful, beautiful, smart women that I have encountered through blogging. Following along with the "electronic journals" of so many other amazing ladies, is virtual joy and encouragement at its best. While many people believe the Internet & social media have some negative aspects, I believe I have found much more good than bad when used properly and cautiously. With all my heart I truly believe that the blogging community is part of the good out there in our large world and I cannot wait to see where the Lord provides for me to continue my path. 

I say all of this because recently, many bloggers have been sharing their word for 2013. While I wanted to dive right in early on, I have had to think on mine for quit some time. I wanted a word that would be adaptable throughout the year if my outlook changes on certain things or if my circumstances change at any given moment. I think I have found a word that is applicable to many situations and stances in this life no matter where I stand. No, it is not creative. It is actually fairly simple and consumes action that I choose to participate in every single day. 

If you are a regular reader, you know that I am not the type of girl to set New Year's resolutions. I welcomed 2013 in this post without Making Resolutions. To me, resolutions are all the same. Lose 20 pounds, read more books, blog every day, save more, volunteer more, blah, blah, blah. Honestly, this list could go on forever and ever. Then, making my to-do list even longer. Seriously? Who wants that? I know I do not. 

And then, there is the possibility that if the resolutions I set are not met, it would just cause me to stress and worry more. See, I am already thinking into resolutions way too far. Is your forehead wrinkling like mine yet?  

While I am sure that there are other things that I will challenge myself to embrace or goals that I may set, for now I am not going to set specifics for things that are not realistic or needed in my life. I am sure there are things that I will want to better or improve with time, but perfection is not realistic and can be over-rated by many. And, I will admit, this is tough for me to not set specifics because I am a perfectionist and extremely independent at heart. 

For now, I want to continue doing my best at all that I continue to strive towards. While I have read many great goals or resolutions for this year, I think I have found my groove for 2013. 

I just want to LIVE.

I want to LIVE each and every single day to the fullest. 

I want to laugh until my abs that are not there hurt. I want to smell the air outside. I want to feel the sun. I want to love my husband deeper. I want to experience all that the Lord has waiting for me. I want to shout out loud that the American dream does not consist of consuming materialistic values. I want to experience all that this life has to offer outside of a daily to-do list. In the same way that I wake up in the morning and put on deo or drink my coffee intentionally, I want to LIVE intentionally, too. 

I have no intention of consuming my time obsessing over what I can or cannot eat, how much time I have left in my day to exercise, where Tony and I should be running off to for dinner, what new Nicholas Sparks books are most popular, or what the hottest purse on the market is right now. 

Since Christmas break I have lived with fewer things on my to-do list. I have attended fewer meetings (that really did not matter in the spectrum of things), agreed to fewer commitments, fewer obligations. I spent more time with my husband doing absolutely nothing. I have enjoyed my kitchen. I did things with friends that I normally would not have the time for given multiple, ridiculous obligations. I have lived intentionally with an outcry for simplicity.

I know I thrive best when I am organized, rested, and happy. In the past seven months I have learned how our home thrives best, how to provide for my husband so that he thrives best and is happy, and how to be a successful, thriving student. If anything, I have learned to embrace change and to live change out loud. 

My time on earth is limited. I want to live intentionally. I want to live simply. 

I want to do something that my future self will thank me for. 

I want to remember everything- the good, the bad, the hurtful, the joyful. 

I want to experience everything instead of rushing around to accomplish the next item on my list for the day.

So in 2013, it is my prayer to LIVE. 

I want to be still. "Busy" is the easiest trap to fall into. Stay focused on what is good, pure, lovely.

My word for 2013 is LIVE. I am going to live  intentional. Live Simple. Live a life of quality, not quantity. I am going to let go of the self induced pressures of life and live each day to the fullest and contribute my best to those I love and what I have a passion for. 

What is your word for 2013? 

If you have a minute I would love for you to jump on over to Erin @ Sweetness Itself. Recently, she asked for dating advice on Instagram and is sharing a few of the comments on her blog today. The second comment is one that I contributed! I hope that if you are searching for "Mr. Right" that you will let Him guide your steps. Within this post Erin gives so much of her heart. Please do, check it out! You will be blessed! Such wonderful contributions from married ladies on why TRUE.LOVE.WAITS. :) 

As always, until next time- Happy Blogging! 

PS- Because I am choosing to LIVE out loud a little more, this happened the other night after dinner.