one little word: nourish
to sustain with food or nutriment;
to supply what is necessary for life, health and growth.
to cherish, foster, keep alive.
to strengthen, build up or promote.
to comfort, cultivate, encourage, furnish, maintain, nurture, provide, support, tend
Each year for the past several years I have chosen one little word. One little word to focus on throughout the year because…”A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.” (Ali Edwards)
In past years I haven’t followed through with my word. Even this past year when I participated in Ali Edwards One Little Word on-line class I still did not allow my word to change me. But this year I must. No – I will.
In 2012, I will
NOURISH a spiritual life. Because a near-non-existent prayer life means a near-non-existent relationship with my Savior I will nourish my relationship with Christ; nurture a habit of prayer; keep alive the studying of God’s word. I will be studying Malachi and the Covenants in Precepts with Joy Gill this winter and the book of James (with Beth Moore) at home.
NOURISH a physical life. Move More Eat Well. I am taking Cathy Zielskes’ on-line class through Big Picture Scrapbooking. Sedentary for far to long, I am hoping this will be the motivation, offer the accountability, to strengthen my body, my muscles, through swimming…swimming…swimming regularly (no matter the gas prices), walking…walking…walking, and weight lifting. I will also provide my sons the opportunity to nourish their bodies. Foster their physical health.
NOURISH a heart of gratitude. I began one thousand gifts this past year. I have stuck with it but not as much as I’d like. I have seen many ways to cultivate hearts of gratitude: daily journals writing one thing you are grateful for, a gratitude canvas (Becky Higgins) where the whole family can jot down what they are grateful for, a gratitude jar, etc. My plan is to incorporate several of these into my life – our lives promoting hearts of gratitude; encouraging my family to think grateful, and content; for gratitude to permeate our souls. Hearts and minds and souls that are grateful are at peace. Content. Gentle. Kind. Loving.
NOURISH relationships. We have a growing small group that needs nourishing. It needs building up, strengthening, cherishing, tending to, cultivating. I have few friends. I need to cultivate friendship. And, years ago my husband and I made it a habit to go on dates. We don’t regularly do that anymore. This needs to change. We need to nourish our relationship. Our home life, our relationship with our kids, depends on our relationship being healthy. Dates – need more dates: Dinner and a movie; the shooting range; playing pool; walking the beach at Tybee; go to the pool and swim; take walks; dessert and coffee; pray together. And nourish my relationship with my kids and grandkids. Time: make time.
NOURish learning. The boys and I had a successful first year of homeschooling. They have learned so much. But I have also learned my weaknesses. I can see some complacency setting in. For the sake of my boys I need to nourish, foster learning more effectively. We have let some things go that need re-addressed. I will tend to these things this year and promoting healthy learning habits.
NOURISH my creativity. The Move More Eat Well endeavor will be a year-long creative outlet. I will schedule time to create more. I have so many ideas on the back burner that need to be brought out and completed. I have another year-long project that will be gifted to my kids. I need to maintain a haven encourages creativity. Note: finish cleaning and organizing my scraproom.
NOURISH simplicity. Nourish seeing the details. Nourish cleanliness. Nourish good, healthy habits.
I can’t think of a better word: NOURISH.
