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One word. Since 2011, it’s changed my opinion on making New Year’s Resolutions. I don’t make them anymore. Instead, I narrow my focus on one simple, yet life changing word, or as the folks over at One Word 365 put it,

One word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live. One word that you can focus on every day, all year long.

A New Year of Intentional Living
Last year my word was radical, inspired by David Platt in his life-changing book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream.  (affiliate link) It’s been a word I’ve both loved and hated.

Living that word out has caused me to step outside of my comfort zone, abandon myself, speak the truth of the Gospel, and so much more. It brought pain, tears, laughter, and I know without a doubt that lives were changed, especially mine.
This year my word is intentional. It means to do things on purpose; be deliberate. Sometimes I struggle to be present in an age of urgency, but I’m setting out to change that. Though I want to make plans for my future, I want to live in the moment as well.

Relationships are required.

At times I tend to check out in the middle of a conversation. Not because I’m not interested or want to be rude (okay, sometimes I’m really not interested), but because my mind goes elsewhere.
I’ve always been a daydreamer. From the time I was a little girl I used daydreaming as a way to escape from my reality. Today, however, my reality is great. My past doesn’t define me. God is doing incredible things and I want to savor the moments.
I have amazing people in my life who have invested countless hours into my growth. I want to be intentional and do the same with them. Not only that, but I need to work on being present with those who aren’t my closest friends. I want my reactions, my words, my presence to show others that I care and am invested in them, even if it’s only for a five-minute conversation.

Time is of the essence.

I struggle with impatience. I don’t particularly like to wait or be late for things. Sometimes, though, my lack of patience causes me to be in too big of a hurry.
For instance, I eat fast. I usually have my food done before others have finished half of theirs. This means I don’t take the time to savor and enjoy what’s in front of me. As a person who has struggled with weight all of her life, this isn’t a good habit to have.
I want to be intentional about enjoying my food, soaking in the flavors and the conversation that goes with eating meals around the table with friends and family. This goes back to the being intentional in the relationships part.
I want to be still enough to “smell the roses”. Better yet, I want to be quiet enough to listen when God is trying to speak to me instead of trying to put him on speaker phone while I run errands, then wonder why my mind is tired.
So, today is the beginning of living a new word. 365 days of living intentionally. 8765.81 hours of living on purpose, for a purpose greater than myself.
Feel free to hold me to the agreement. I love accountability. Oh.. and if we’re in a conversation and my eyes glaze over, feel free to kick me under the table and tell me to stop daydreaming, unless of course it’s a really good dream.
What about you? What one word would you like to live out in 2013? Share in the comments below… 

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