A New Word for a New Year: Simplicity!

Have you chosen a word to guide you in 2018?

I’ve chosen one for the last three years, and I can honestly say it has changed my outlook on life. Here’s a helpful website if you’re still looking: MY ONE WORD

In 2016, my word was FOCUS.

I planned to focus on my writing for the year, submitting manuscripts to agents and editors twice a month. And I thankfully reached my goal. Now I didn’t receive a contract that year, but I did write a 52,000 word Middle Grade historical novel in one month with the NaNoWriMo challenge. I seem to need accountability to keep me going. And this write-a-novel-in-a-month project was just what I needed.

I also became more confident in my writing. And my editing. And revision.

In 2017, my word was WONDER.

Initially, I set out to be in awe and wonder over what God was doing in my life. Not just my writing life, but my life in general. The funny thing was, it turned out to be me asking, “I wonder what God is doing in my life?” I was constantly asking that question when difficulties arose: my husband’s potential job loss, and my lack of signing with an agent or editor after ‘hooking’ them with my pitch at a conference. I worked hard last year, so didn’t I deserve a reward?

Turns out, it will take even more submissions and more revisions for that to happen. But, I’m still in awe and wonder at the connections I’ve made and the paths opening to me every day as I faithfully plod along.

This year, my word for 2018 is SIMPLICITY: cutting the clutter and making more room for creativity to blossom and grow. And, as always, to write for the glory of God.

I’d love to pop into this watercolor of mine. Lie in the grass and soak up the breeze and sunshine, enticing my creative spirit to come and fill me with WONDER, so I can FOCUS on what is important, leaving out all the rest. But alas, as happens when you pick a word, this first week of January has not been one of SIMPLICITY, but of complications.

​My mother-in-love’s fall and resulting broken wrists, and all that means for a 93 year old independent woman still living on her own. And all it means for those who are responsible for her.

Then, yesterday, the two flat tires we experienced after going over a curb in the dark. And the tow. And taxi ride. And the necessity in this very busy week, to have two cars and not one.

Obviously, we can’t be in charge of everything in our lives. So I’m thankful, in these situations, that God is. And that He has our best interests in mind, even though we can’t see it. But it always, (if we let go of our independent spirits and depend on Him), results in a stronger character. One that can face whatever comes with confidence.

I still hang on to SIMPLICITY, making it my goal as I make daily choices: What to do? Where to go? What to buy? And I still wonder what would happen if my word for next year was COMPLICATIONS. No matter! For this year, I will concentrate on one thing that will simplify everything:

”Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26