One word...

Last year, I participated for the first time in the 'One Word' project that I'd read about on Sheila's blog - Book Journey.  My 2016 word was JOY.  I vowed to look for JOY wherever I could find it - in the quiet places - in the unexpected places.  I also wanted to share JOY with others when I could.  I think that I did pretty well with that goal for most of the year.  However, as we all know, 2016 was a stressful year for many reasons - which I will not go into here.  Each of us had our own stresses and worries and fears.  As the fall came and the year drew to a close, I found myself retreating more and more into my 'safe place' - my reading world - books - and stepping away from news and social media and the constant stream of 'updates'.  JOY was difficult to see.

Now it's 2017 and time for a new word, a new focus, a new 'lease on life', if you will.  As I was pondering if I would even do the 'One Word' project again, the word 'peace' kept coming into my head.  I was trying to explain to my husband about 'One Word' and told him I was considering 'peace'.  We were in the car and there was a song playing.  He sat for a minute listening and then said, 'maybe you should use this song as inspiration for your word'.  And there it was.  My word.

The song was 'Breathe' by Jonny Diaz, a contemporary Christian artist.  There are a couple of verses that speak to me very, very strongly:

I’m hanging on tight to another wild day

When it starts to fall apart in my heart I hear you say just

Breathe, just breathe

Come and rest at my feet

And be, just be

Chaos calls but all you really need

Is to take it in, fill your lungs

The peace of God that overcomes

Just breathe (just breathe)

let your weary spirit rest

Lay down what’s good and find what’s best

Just breathe (just breathe)

If you are interested in hearing the song in it's entirety, you can find it on YouTube.

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The ocean picture above was taken by me at the Oregon Coast in 2010.  That was a trip we took after my mother died and my 'parent care' time was at an end.  It was a trip that showed me how the ocean and the rhythms there were so very soothing to me - the person who always looks to the mountains for solace.  Thinking about BREATHE brought that trip to mind and how I was so mesmerized by watching the waves.  It's a good reminder.

So that's my word.  BREATHE.  As a person who finds it way too easy to get caught up in anxiety and stress, my goal for 2017 is to BREATHE.  I found it quite ironic that I spent the turning of the year, 2016 to 2017, actually trying to breathe without coughing.  A little life lesson and reinforcement that perhaps BREATHE was indeed my 'One Word' for 2017.  Thanks for listening.