One Word

Yes, I believe writing is good for the soul.
No, I do not believe in forcing it when the feeling is not there.
Yes, I do regret that I did not write more when my children were little.  I was so sure I would remember everything.  I don't.
No, I still do not believe in forcing it when the feeling is not there. I have read too much bad writing, forced writing, regrettable writing.

2013 has been a year.  I can't decide what kind of adjective to use to describe the year.  That will take several blog posts.  I do know I did not feel like writing.

Earlier this week, as I was making sausage balls for the Open House we are hosting this weekend (several blog posts on that one, too), I started feeling it.  I actually ran to get a piece of paper on which to write the ideas that were popping, like popcorn, in my brain.

Then, one of those God things happened.  That evening I was chatting with a friend, on facebook, (a friend who has just had her first book published!!) and she said, "I think you should start writing your blog again." I don't need to be told 3 times.  I guess I do need to be told twice, but not three times.

As 2012 came to an end, this same newly published friend challenged me to select one word on which to focus for 2013.  Perfect!  I have never done New Year's Resolutions, but loved the idea of focusing on one word for the year.  I selected the word LISTEN.  Around that time, I had come to the self-realization that I am not naturally a good listener.  I have a tendency to be an autobiographical listener.  While you are talking and I'm supposed to be listening, I'm organizing my response about MY experience with what you are talking about.  I don't like this...not one bit.  One of the greatest gifts we can give each other is to fully listen, with no agenda, with no script, with no preconceived notions.  While I have not faithfully focused on my word all year, I have noticed such a positive reaction when I have just....listened.  I'm not abandoning LISTEN.  I hope it will become a habit--the way I do things.

So what is my word for 2014?  GRACE.  I want to give GRACE in thought, word, and deed (Oh, that thought one is going to be hard!) I want to be on the look out for and recognize others giving GRACE. I want to respond to bad behavior with GRACE. Lastly, I want to give GRACE to myself.

That brings me back to an adjective to describe 2013.  To be honest, it has been a bad year, health-wise, and I have had to accept limitations and a lack of control with which I have no experience.  That has been and continues to be hard.  I have to give myself some GRACE.

I hope to write about GRACE.  I also hope to write about finding God in unlikely places.  I know I will write about my family--lots of changes there.  Here we go.....

Kris--did you notice I used very few contraction?
Jackie--did you notice how hard I worked to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition?
Ha!!!