I spend some time, in the first week of a brand new, shiny year, scribbling down intentions—a Rule (or Rhythm) of Life, if you will. It’s not complicated, just a line or two about my most important work, and a handful of bullet points to serve as a rough map for the journey. A single hand-written page that I transcribe into my notebook, marking the page so I can return to it often.
(I can’t help but smile as I remember the annual goal setting effort we went through in the corporate world. I wrestled with it every year, eventually coming to a wary truce with the process. This personal, prayerful effort is very different.)
I commit to a focus word for 2019 and, on a legal-sized piece of paper, pen some quotes, verses, and notes that support my multi-faceted choice. These, too, I transcribe into my notebook. I post the legal-sized sheet on the wall above my desk.
Then, the second week of the year dawns, and life starts churning again. I stumble before the morning passes. I remember my stated, and documented, intentions and correct course. It will be this way every day—many times a day. Having a plan will help.
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The focus word I’ve chosen for this year is WORD. It encapsulates much.
First, and most importantly, it keeps my focus on the Word that was in the beginning, the Word that became flesh. All else flows from there.
It speaks of my writing intention to find fresh ways to write timeless truth for the benefit of others.
It touches on my intention to read deep, not necessarily wide. Physical books. Old books. (C.S. Lewis is a proponent of reading old books. Read some of his thoughts here.)
It affirms my intentions for prayer, and for being saturated in scripture.
It states my intention to cultivate one-on-one conversation.
And more.
This may be, not only my focus word for 2019, but for the remaining days of my life.
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I’m over at the InScribe Writers Online blog (https://inscribewritersonline.blogspot.com/2019/01/motivation-and-intention-by-linda-hoye.html) today talking about motivation and intention for this new year. I hooe you’ll come by.
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Have you chosen a focus word for 2019? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
A great word! I have been thinking a lot about life giving conversations. One on one conversations are a great way to cultivate connectedness.
Word is a great word for guiding your year, Linda. I’ve been muddling over what my word might be for this year. I’m thinking about either simplify or contemplate. I have to make a decision. Soon I must give my followers an update. I indicated I’d return to the blog within six to eight weeks, and time’s up! Thanks for including the link to C.S. Lewis’s thoughts.