Words for 2014

I want to start this post by apologizing to everyone. I have been away for awhile. This past fall and early winter has had some emotional health challenges for me and others that I needed to focus on. I haven’t done any writing here or much elsewhere but I am happy to say that I am back.

I was prodded by son in law’s blog on his words for 2014 words that I needed to do something about my own words for this year. Last year I chose beauty, gratitude and faith and I want to take a moment to reflect on them.

I saw a lot of beauty this year – in growing a new garden, in exploring the Cypress Hills in southwestern Saskatchewan with the dear one and other family, seeing my children growing in their independence and stretching their metaphorical wings – there was a lot of beauty this past year. Which, naturally, brings me to gratitude. I have so much to be grateful for – the dear one and I have a new home, a new parish, a new diocese to be a part of – it is amazing what stability will do for one’s state of mind. I am still working on the faith part of my life. I love the folks in our parish, I love how I have been challenged and how I have grown, but I am aware that there are moments where faith is just darn hard for me, maybe it will always be that way and maybe that is okay.

Now for 2014 and the words for this coming year. These are in no particular order but how they came into my mind while thinking about this.

Creativity: I am aware that I need to let creativity back into my life. I need to let my mind, body and spirit play and find out what is next for me. I need to take time each day away from other distractions and just doodle, draw, write directly on paper, play with scissors, glue and construction paper – just let creativity take me where it wants and not try to control it. I haven’t made anything for just the sake of making it for a long time and I need to give myself permission to do that again. Maybe from time to time I will share what I have created here. I want to let God’s creativity bounce around in me again.

Delight: This is somewhat connected to last year’s words of beauty and gratitude, but it is something that I want to continue with this year. I want to delight more in what is around me and who I am with and where I am and not be busy thinking about, planning for, worrying about what is coming next. It is about being present in the moment and with the ones I am with. It is about taking delight in each thing – a kiss from the dear one, the spring rain, a call from a loved family member, the gift of each new day. To take delight in the place that God has put me and remember the wonder of being alive.

Grace: I am aware of how much grace has permeated my life and I am aware of how much I take God’s grace for granted. This next year I want to look consciously for those moments that are grace-filled. Moments where the Spirit of God can just be glimpsed dancing around the edges.  I want to be able to stop and take a look and let that grace fill me up and give me what I need and not worry if there will be more later. There is always more later. I want to show grace to others as grace has been shown to me.