When we pause to celebrate, we find the joy.
I have a piece of paper that I tore out of a magazine with OLW possibilities. No, the magazine didn't have OLW possibilities. I had written the possibilities on this page. Why not in my writer's notebook? Well, because I couldn't find it. I know losing your writer's notebook is a foreign idea to most of you. But losing things is a daily occurrence for me. And I've often written about how finding things is almost a daily celebration! Last week, my daughter asked me about my OLW. I shared my possibilities with her. I counted them. 11 words! She jokingly said, "Mom, add one more and you can change it to a word a month."
I did add one more (when I remembered it). Another word that had been following me around, but hadn't yet made it onto the piece of paper.
Here are my twelve possibilities for my 2016 OLW:
content
encourage
light
rejoice
abide
journey
strengthen
seek
nourish
lift
delight
gentle
I'm recording them here because I'm not sure that I'll be able to find my writer's notebook, this piece of paper, or my mind by next year. But I love every single word on this list. I'm set for the next twelve years. I'll just revisit this list and choose.
My word actually found me in December, but I kept looking. Perhaps because it was such an old fashioned word, I wasn't sure if it would work. But ABIDE continues to lodge in my heart.
It came to me in a book I was reading, Stars: Reflections on Christmas by Chieko Okazaki. The chapter "Shepherds Abiding," breaks into three sections: Abiding in the Field, Abiding in Faith, and Abiding in the Savior's Love. I plan to visit these themes throughout the year.
I find myself humming "Abide with Me," as I work in my field:
"I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What, but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. "
I promised myself a quick celebration. Today I celebrate abide, my OLW of 2016. I'm looking forward to the journey of a new year as I seek to abide in the field, in faith, and in the Savior's love.
Ramona, your sweet voice as you talk about loosing and finding things shows healthy sense of humor. I like your daughter's idea about a word for each month. I am glad you were able to make your choice.
ReplyDeleteWell actually I don't think there is anything wrong with the word for the month. Some months need a particular word to help us navigate those 28, 29, 30 0r 31 days. (Also it might keep us from cussing.)
ReplyDeleteYou wrote this with such love, Ramona. That hymn is an old favorite, & now you have me humming it, too. What a perfect word, not old-fashioned at all, but perhaps more people should learn about it! Love hearing about this journey, & hope you find your writer's notebook! (couch cushions?)
ReplyDeleteNope, it was stashed in the bedroom basket (which unfortunately had some things piled on top of it). Had a small celebration and wrote a slice in it yesterday (might share it for Tuesday SOL).
DeleteThat's a beautiful word, Ramona! Do you want to join the Spiritual Journey Thursday group and write about your word? I'd be happy to put you on the schedule!http://hollymueller.blogspot.com/2016/01/spiritual-journey-thursday-2016-one.html
ReplyDeleteRamona, I think you should write more about your one word so we can all have insight into your journey. I think the 3 component pieces are very interesting and I look forward to hearing how you break up your year into those three parts. Thumbs up for your word and possibly Spiritual Journey Thursday posts.
DeleteYour word really lives with you - and brings you joy. It's perfect, Ramona!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I totally relate to not being able to find your Writer's notebook. Probably one reason having a Writer's notebook did not come naturally to me. I have attacked this problem by having several Writer's notebooks of various shapes, sizes and length of use floating around where ever I float around. Somehow this suits me! : )
ReplyDeleteAbide is a word I have been thinking about, too especially during my resting time with God. It is a beautiful word to wrap your year around Ramona!
What a wonderful word. My word is Smile. I am also losing things often. Right now I am not certain where my notebook is either. :)
ReplyDeleteABIDE. That word makes me smile. It makes me pause and think. I can't wait to see what this word does for you in 2016. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the key is to start keeping your notebook ideas on a blog -- that way you always know where it is. :) Your daughter had an interesting idea to change your OLW every month. Happy new year, Ramona!
ReplyDeleteI too smiled when you said you couldn't find your notebook. I think that is an affliction many of us suffer! I have so many. They are like reading glasses. Love your choice of a OLW and your process. I'm glad you have this post to hold on to those 12 words. Who knows when they might come in handy.
ReplyDelete