My One Word

sim·pli·fy:

to reduce to basic essentials

 Phew...a tough word for me to embrace.  I like to be busy.  I like to be involved.  I like to stay up late.  However, these past few months, during my quiet time (and let's be honest, it's not a set time!) I have heard the Lord saying,  "Simplify."  

I fought back a little...But I don't have time to simplify...I have a young family, we have lots of family and friends in town that we want to hang out with, I have shows to choreograph and shows to watch on our DVR, etc.  And finally it came time for new year's resolutions...SIMPLIFY came to me once again!  (Why was I not surprised?!)

 myoneword.org is a site that guides us to choose one word that centers on our character and creates a vision for our future...thus replacing the "New Year's Resolution."  Check it out if you struggle keeping your resolutions but want to try something new this 2013!

 So far simplify looks different than I expected, but here are some ways in which I am making it happen in 2013!

1. I am going to bed by 10:00.  Sleep is important, and I have to get up early...this late night stuff had to go.  (Tear...and more tears.  I love staying up late!)

2. No phone use in the car.  I had gotten really bad about needing to talk while driving, and checking my email/facebook/texts at stoplights.  I need to relearn how to sit at a stoplight and just be.  Plus, I want my kids to see me having good driving/phone habits.  

3. We use cash for almost everything now.  (Thank you Dave Ramsey and Financial Peace University.)  This seems to simplify our finances...once the cash is done, we're done spending!

4. This week I went to the grocery store in the evening...without kids.  That made life so much easier on Wednesday morning.  We weren't running from place to place in our short time between kindergarten drop off and pick up.  

5. I have been content to stay home...not feeling the need to go somewhere or do something every day.  

I am looking forward to the journey that my word will bring in 2013!  I know one of my biggest challenges will be saying no...I'm ready!