2014--My Word of the Year--Live

I've prayed for the last year that God would show me ways to not regret. Not regret the past, not regret lost time, not regret saying yes or no, not regret decisions made. I've searched for a word, was simplify it? Was it "No"? No to extra things taking my time, no to people, no to ministry opportunities, no to extra school activities. But the answer, the word, wasn't no. Last Friday the Lord dropped it on my heart. I wasn't sure exactly what the word was but I knew He was telling me to get off my phone, limit my time on social media, protect my family time, reserve Sunday for Him, family, friends and fun, say no when my heart tells me, yes when He does and put Him and family before others and extras even if it means I'm not in charge of something or can't help someone do something. He wants me to pray before I say yes or no, quit planning every minute of every day and LIVE.

So that was it, that was my word? Live...to be alive, to maintain oneself, to attain eternal life, to remain in human memory or record and finally to have a life rich in experience. Wow, those are just a few of the definitions I found in Merriam-Webster's wonderful book of words, the Dictionary.

What does live look like in my life right now? Um, boring. It's more like the antonyms, deactive, ineffective, asleep, stagnant, unproductive. But what can I do in 2014 to make live look like it's true meaning?

Sundays--
God, Family, Friends, FUN--No Internet, no phone except in case of emergency and I will decide whether your emergency is my emergency too.

Everyday--
Hubby and Kids and family first after God. They are my life. More time with them. I often put other people's needs or things I think need to be done before my family. I'm not apologizing for telling people no. Look people in the eye when I talk to them, especially my kids, in the same room, not from across the house. I even miss out on family time with parents, siblings and our niece and nephews because I'm busy doing something someone else thinks I should have or make time for.
I'm not saying I won't do things to help people. But I will pray and seek God's will and take into consideration my families thoughts and needs before I commit.

Let Go--
I made my own planner/journal in December. I know God was preparing me to live as I worked on it. It has a calendar for each month, but no hourly schedule. It's more of a journal to record what we do each day after it's done. I want to remember these times, but I'm not going to be tied to a schedule, or to journaling everyday. Live in the moment. Even behind my camera I can live and the kids and I can record our year of memories in our Project Life Book.

Simplify--
Schedules, basketball ends next week. Other than Mattie running track and field sports are done until next basketball season. The kids are pretty athletic, but our lives aren't going to be run by sports. We hope to move this summer. A big yard sale will follow. Mikie spends every day off remodeling, the kids and I fill our off days with things that don't always help our family or fit into our family mission statement.

Social Media--
None on Sunday and limited time the rest of the week. I have some sponsored posts for the blog coming up. Time spent on social media needs to honor God and help my blog, not my nose problem.

Health--
I can't live if I'm not alive. Healthier eating, more exercise, less crap, less stress. In the words of Dave Ramsey, "Live like no one else, so that later you can live like no one else." I know he is talking about budgeting, which we already do, but it applies to my whole life.

So in 2014, I will live, live for God, live for now, love for the future, live for my family, friends and fun. Live like there's no tomorrow. Live with no regrets.

What's your word?

Disclaimer: I didn't take time from my family to post this. I'm enjoying a second sick day this week, thanks to strep and a fever. So other than sleep, no one was neglected.

Saying goodbye to the old and looking forward to the new!