A Hopeful 2011

For the past few years I have selected one little word to be the focus/motivator/inspiration for the year. Past words for me have been joy, peace, change, simplify, and for 2011, hope.

When I selected this word in late December 2010, I was a sad little lady. Not to say that there weren't many happy moments spent with wonderful people - there were - but I was not joyful. I probably was a bit depressed but didn't want to admit that. And I didn't want 2011 to be the same way.

This is the first year that my word was focused on for the entire year in my heart. I've always chosen these catchy words that look great on a coffee mug or necklace and I just liked the word. I'm not so sure I was ever a peaceful person who accepted change gracefully while simplifying my life. But hope was big for me. And I kept it in the front of my mind all year long.

The results?

1.  Meaningful friendships. This will sound harsh and I am ok saying that I am very much against fluffy, small-talk friendships. I want to know people deeply (without it being weird of course!) and have friends who I treasure our time spent together. And in 2011 I enjoyed being with our closest friends and loving getting closer with them. And blogging friends SO count here! I have been blessed with new friendships I could never have with such inspirational women. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and lives with me. I look forward to reading your posts, comments and emails daily.

2. An enriched faith and building community within our church. Freddy and I joined a community group of five other young married couples and it has been incredible. We are growing in faith and being more involved in our church overall. Probably a 'duh' but when I'm closer to the Lord, hope and joy naturally seem to follow.

3. Contentment. This is something I thought would have flowed from simplify, but it didn't. Once I became hopeful about our present life and future, I began caring less about what we lack and became grateful for what we have. I'm ok with where we live, my car, my job. That's so huge for me.

4. Learning new things. Love that I am knitting now and look forward to learning to sew next year. My inlaws gave me a sewing machine for Christmas and needless to say, I am really excited to be able to hem my own jeans.

5. Buying less, appreciating more. We spent less this year on needless stuff. Thrifting has helped me not overspend on clothes like I did in the past. In fact, it caused me to be nearly unable to buy retail and pay high prices.

Hope has been my favorite word from any other I've selected. I've liked it so much that I don't even have a clue what I would like to select for my 2012 word. Hopefully on January 1st I will share a word to enjoy and embrace in the year to come.