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A Little Flower Grows

Catholic Lifestyle Blog

One Word for 2016

January 26, 2016

I know it’s almost the end of January already, which means many people have already decided on + announced their word for 2016. It’s taken me a little longer to think about, pray about, and decide on what my word should be. But I’ve finally chosen one, and so I’m sharing it with you today.

This one little word will be my “theme” for 2016. It is a word that I will keep in the forefront of my mind + heart to direct me throughout the year. It will be my track for pursuing my goals + dreams this year. It will help guide me to grow as a person this year, emotionally, mentally, socially, and, most importantly spiritually. It is a word that I hope will help me draw closer to God this year.

My one little word is…

f o c u s

I chose this word because my little heart + mind get so easily distracted. I worry about the future. I try to dictate what should happen in my life and struggle to let myself be open to God’s plan ~ especially if it might be different from mine. I have a hard time surrendering my all to God, and just when I think I’ve succeeded in doing so, I find myself going back into worry-mode or control-mode again before I know it.

I struggle to keep my priorities in line. I procrastinate on my schoolwork and fail to give it my best effort. I don’t make enough time for prayer + reflection. I don’t always put God + my spiritual life first, and instead I choose school, friends, the internet, sleep over Him.

So this year, I need to focus. I need to put first things first. I need to make more time for the most important things in life, and relish them. I need to recenter my life around God + prayer. I need to stop letting myself get so distracted.

For me personally, I feel that “focus” is a good place to start. If I form a solid foundation for myself by learning to focus, then I can go from there. If my mind + heart are focused and not distracted, my actions will follow accordingly.

So this year is going to be about me regaining my focus. I will avert my eyes, ears, mind, + heart from anything that distracts me + keeps me from the important things in my life ~ namely family, friends, school, and God. My vocation as a daughter/sister/granddaughter/niece/cousin, as a friend, as a student, and as a child of God.

“My heart is restless until it rests in You.” ~St. Augustine
What is your word for 2016?

God bless,
~Stephanie

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Comments

  1. Gabrielle says

    January 27, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    I totally relate to this because I struggle with the distractions in life too. I don't have a word for 2016 yet, but a lot of your goals for "focus" are similar to mine for this year! 🙂

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Stephanie!

Theologian’s wife, mama of one baby boy, lifelong Catholic. Michigan native, teacher by profession, avid tea drinker. Welcome to my little corner of the internet, where I share from my heart about wife life, mama life, and Catholic life. Pour a cup of tea and stay awhile!

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