The Power of One Word

As a writer I love words. Lots of them! When joined together in powerful sentences and paragraphs, words tell great stories and provide inspiration. Two of my writer friends inspired me to think about the power of ONE WORD. In my last blog post I wrote about how I wanted to simplify my life this year and find joy and contentment in accomplishing small things. I am intrigued to think that one word could change my life. I decided accept the challenge and choose ONE WORD to live by in 2016.

My online research led me to a book entitled My One Word written by Mike Ashcraft, senior pastor at Port City Community Church in Wilmington, NC. Instead of sweeping resolutions that disappear by the end of January, Ashcraft says that choosing one word will help us concentrate on accomplishing something instead of a lot of nothing. I also discovered a blog by Margaret Feinberg entitled One Word in which she encourages people to choose one word to study and meditate on during 2016. 

It took me a couple of days to narrow my focus to just one word. My writer friends chose the words “Confidence” and “Flourish.” All sorts of other words drifted through my mind—all of them perfectly good words—just not for me at this time in my life. I finally settled on a word for 2016 that has the potential to change my thinking and my actions. Here it is!

STEADFAST

According to the Miriam Webster Dictionary my word is defined as: “very devoted or loyal to a person, belief, or cause: not changing” Those that know me might say that word already describes me.Yes, I can be opinionated and passionate about what I believe. My area of struggle is in my thinking and about keeping my mind focused on the positive in each situation. I picked this Bible verse for 2016, because it describes exactly what I need in my life—the ability to find peace in every chaotic and stressful situation that I will face this year.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV

There will be plenty of challenges — personal and family health problems, the roller coaster stock market, endless delays in our aircraft business, and the inevitable unexpected events that can turn life on a dime.

Are you up to taking the ONE WORD challenge in 2016?  

If so I would love to hear from you. If you choose to comment at the end of this blog and you use the Anonymous designation, please add your name at the end of your comment so we can pray for each other’s journey.You can also email me at friedas@bellsouth.net to let me know the word you have chosen. To help you get started, here are the two links I referenced above that will give you additional information and motivation.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008EGUFF2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1

http://margaretfeinberg.com/whats-one-word-2016-free-download/

What is your ONE WORD for 2016?

Take if Off -- Put it On

Two people that I admire and whose counsel I seek gave me some good advice recently. My doctor advised me “to taste, but not eat” and my pastor spoke to my heart when he told me “what to wear in the New Year.” If I want to continue “blooming” during 2013, I need to follow their wise words.

An unknown author once said, “People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.” 

OK, the holidays are over and it is time for me to get with the program. I’ve spent way too much time this past year, sitting at my computer, writing my book, and munching along the way. I never knew that writing is fattening. My memoir, Born Three Times, is published and now I have to get moving to undo the weight gain. My doctor’s advice doesn’t eliminate any food group (I like that part), but is all about portion control—in other words Self-Discipline which is a challenge for me. I have three months to get some weight off and my blood pressure back to normal. It’s a good thing I like lots of veggies and feathers and fins—chicken and fish. I need all the encouragement and support I can get, so please comment below if you are willing to join me in streamlining your body during 2013. 

New Year’s resolutions can be overwhelming, so how about thinking of a daily resolution? I recently found a quote by Henry Moore that speaks to me. He said, “I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year's.” My pastor put flesh on that quote during last Sunday’s sermon. His message was from Colossians 3:12-14. 

            “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

It seems overwhelming to clothe myself with those seven virtues, unless I put them on one by one. Seven virtues—Seven days; one virtue each day that I can pray for. I can do that!

Sunday – compassion

Monday – kindness

Tuesday – humility

Wednesday – gentleness

Thursday – patience

Friday – forgiveness

Saturday - love 

My goal is to be the person God wants me to be in 2013. In order to do that, I need to care for both my physical and spiritual health. Consider joining me in this venture.

My book Born Three Times-A New Life, A New Liver, A New Love is available to purchase from several different sources. Please see the How to Order tab at the top of my blog for more information.