I'm happy to announce that 2018 has started off way better than 2017 did. That alone inspired my Word Of The Year for better things in the coming months.

I started thinking about my word back before Christmas. I didn't want to pick something hastily, and nothing was really speaking to me.

Along the way, it also got me to thinking about New Year's resolutions. You know, those promises we make to ourselves for January 1st and have failed miserably on by January 5th?? Yeh, me too - been there, done that!

It occurred to me that all resolutions are really just decisions. Questions, if you will. Repeated daily, over and over. All the while hoping to establish a new pattern; a new behavior.

Do I really need to order the pasta?

Do I really have to go for a run? It's so cold outside. And the gym is a whole 15 minute drive away!

Do I really have to have that snack?

Do I really have time for quiet time? God is always with me, right?? So it doesn't really make that much of a difference.

Do I really need to go shopping?

Do I really need to upgrade my phone/tablet/(fill in the technology blank)?

Truthfully, if we just gave ourselves honest answers to these questions we already know what we should do.

Do I really need to order the pasta? You know the chef salad is just as delicious as the pasta and just as filling! And you will feel more energized and less ready for a nap afterwards. You know what to order.

Do I really need to go for a run? It's so cold outside. And the gym is a whole 15 minute drive away! But remember, you have never regretted a workout after you get started doing it. Especially if you have to drive to get it done! Plus, you will feel like a CHAMP when it's over! You know what you need to do.

Do I really have to have that snack? Are you really hungry, or are you just tired or thirsty...or bored!? Just have a big glass of water first and give it a few minutes to see if it subsides. Or go for a walk. You know if you're truly hungry or not.

Do I really have time for quiet time? God is always with me, right?? So it doesn't really make that much of a difference. But remember how great you feel after quiet time? Especially when something jumps out at you like God is speaking directly into your heart! Wow, that is so awesome when that happens. And just meditating on His Word; it's never a waste of time. You know what you need to do.

Do I really need to go shopping? Seriously, there are already SO many things in your closet that you don't wear. And you don't even have space for anything else! Or... another purse, really?? 20 isn't enough?? Girlfriend, please. Stop! Do you really and truly need to go shopping, or is it your hobby of choice? You know what the answer is here.

Do I really need to upgrade my phone/tablet/(fill in the technology blank)? Does it work? Does it serve all your purposes? Does it do 95% of what a new device can do? Then you already know the answer to that one.

Resolutions are just you asking yourself if the "thing" is what you think you should be doing in that moment. Are you making the choice that is in line with the person you want to be? Let that last question realy sink in.

Forget the resolutions... make a change. Start repeating good (not necessarily easy) choices that puts you in line with the person you want to be

Which brings me to the point of this whole blogpost: your 2018 Word Of The Year!

OK... I realize that was the long way around in telling you how I landed on my WOTY. But hopefully something in it got your attention... in a good way.

The things I want to be better at and more consistant in can all be achieved if I do one thing more.

Listen.

Listen to the things I know in my head to be true (this workout will NOT kill me).

Listen to the Truth in my soul (I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11)

Listen to my heart (love that person, even if they don't deserve it).

Listen to that person talking to you (they are valuable; give them your attention).

Listen to the silence (meditate on the abundance of your life).

Listen - before you act (if only for a moment).

Just listen.

Here it is on the wall of my home office.

So if you have selected your word and you're ready to commit to it in vinyl haha... head over to purchase your WOTY.

As it is written on that page, if your word is not on the list, just select "Custom Word" when you check out. It will direct you to the Contact Us page so you can shoot us an email of what the word is.

Good luck on making the choices that will put you in line with the person you want to become :)

Create a beautiful day!
Jackie
Tapestry of Truth