2021 Edition - OneWord365

I don’t even know where to begin with the ending of 2020 – there was so much I had hoped to accomplish and/or experience especially given the explosive ending of 2019! But it is what it is, and we move on.

So, for those “newbies”, every year I choose one word to focus on versus any resolutions. We all know what happens to those resolutions and within a couple of weeks we’ve given up. The idea of OneWord365 is to choose and focus on that word every day; to live with purpose and intention of it.

I usually don’t even start thinking of my word for the upcoming year until a few weeks before. I don’t want to force or overthink the word as I want it to really resonate within my soul. Sometimes, I seriously question the word (case in point when I reveal 2021…ugh) and listen and watch for confirmations up to the point that I know that I know it is the one.

This year was no exception. As it began to percolate, it wasn’t with “lively activity or excitement”. Quite the opposite…”Seriously?!? THIS? How lame! Are you kidding? Who wants THAT?” As I started looking at the definition and desperately trying to find a synonym that would be “prettier”, it kept coming back as the same ole boring, plain, not-even-old word. Then, I did become more excited because I was being reminded of all my previous words and how my 2021OneWord365 could be applicable and be incorporated with all of them!

#simplicity2016 – What a blessing as I began to simplify things and buying my Cullyhome!

#steadfast2017 – Remaining on track with my plans, goals and dreams; slow and steady wins the race!

#believe2018 – This was so much more about others than me; just believing for the desires of one’s heart and having passion and positivity!

#fire2019 – Oh my, what a year this was!

#stillness2020 – Nothing like a pandemic to shut things down and be still!

Merriam-Webster defines my 2021 word as: to start (something) anew: to refresh (something) by making a new start or creating a new version.

As I enter the New Year, I want to start anew, refresh, and create new updated versions of my plans, goals and dreams, including and incorporating the words from previous years…so, let’s #REBOOT2021!

Blessings, health, safety and Happy New Year to you all!

#throwbackthursday - 2019OneWord365

Here we are…the end of another year. I honestly had not thought much on my word for 2019 as I had a feeling it may be more of a phrase. One late night earlier this month while driving home, listening to The Garth Channel on SiriusXM, I heard him talk about a song I have heard hundreds of times and what it truly meant. But as I listened to it that night, I had a whole new appreciation and felt in some way it was related to what my word was going to be.

A few have been curious and asked about my word for the New Year. It came to me as I was talking with a co-worker the other day who is super supportive and encouraging of my “word of the year”. And while it was inspired by a phrase, I’ve chosen to narrow it down to a word.

In the song, “Standing Outside the Fire”, it speaks of those considered to either be cool/fool or strong/weak. The difference being standing outside watching or being consumed by desire and standing within!

“But you’ve got to be tough when consumed by desire

‘Cause it’s not enough just to stand outside the fire

 

There’s this love that is burning

Deep in my soul

Constantly yearning to get out control

Wanting to fly higher and higher

I can’t abide

Standing outside the fire

 

Standing outside the fire

Standing outside the fire

Life is not tried, it is merely survived

If you’re standing outside the fire”

 

Anyone that has followed my journey the last few years has seen authenticity, passion and positivity as very active and powerful adjectives in my life – ones I try to convey and live. I’m very appreciative of those that have reached out to say they enjoy my posts (and yes, the selfies too).  

Life is not tried, it is merely survived, if you’re standing outside the fire. As I enter (and try to embrace as this is a hard one) 2019 and “GASP” the half-century mark on the 14^th of January, I’m not satisfied to merely survive…authenticity, determination, grit, guts, passion, positivity, and purpose to live – truly wholeheartedly live every aspect of my life – to STAND within the fire. #nofearbutfabulousfiftyonfire

So…my 2019 OneWord365 is FIRE!

#simplicity2016 #steadfast2017 #believe2018 #fire2019

Why OneWord365 Wednesday

So, I've been asked before about my OneWord365 so I thought I would explain exactly what it means, at least for me.

A few years ago, in 2015 specifically, I read a magazine article that talked about not choosing New Year resolutions, but a word to focus on for the entire year. I thought long and hard on that and it really struck a chord within me. Resolutions are easily "forgotten" after a few weeks and excuses are made as to why you didn't succeed. Ultimately, it's our own laziness and lack of focus that prevents us from seeing the resolution to fruition.

OneWord365 encourages you to choose ONE word for you to focus on in the coming year. It's about choosing to live with purpose and intentionally. If you know and focus on that one word, you'll find that it is revealed almost on a daily basis. In the past, prior to me revealing to anyone else what my word was, I have found it in something I have read or even displayed in a store somewhere - talk about confirmation!

The end of 2014 was a pivotal life-changing experience for me - it actually started the day after Christmas.

So, in 2015 when I read the article on OneWord, I knew this was something I wanted to focus on when the time was right. Due to the changes in my life, I knew one of the most desirable things for me was seeking a more simplistic lifestyle so for 2016 my OneWord365 was SIMPLICITY. I spent the entire year striving for simplicity! I cleaned out things, I gave up things, and even started backing off of the various volunteer obligations I had so that I could simplify. My greatest accomplishment of simplicity was on a frigid day in early December 2016 when I closed on the very first home I have ever bought by myself - out in the country! There's simplicity right there and what a way to end my first year of OneWord365!

This was the beginning of my journey of choosing one word to focus on for the year. Over the years, I have had what I would say are "successful" years and others, eh, not so in my mind. But, here we are again at the end of another year and I believe I have my word. It's not "glamorous" in the least, but again, I am being led to it, again and again, the last couple of days. So, it will be revealed soon. :-)

And this is your "why" something Wednesday! Always be authentic, always believe, be positive and passionate!

Welcome to Simplicity & Smiles!

Welcome and glad you have joined me here. I've struggled with the idea of creating and maintaining a blog for some time and have decided that I really need to give it a go this time

around. 

Like all of us, 2020 has brought so many challenges and I'm really ready to return to some kind of normalcy, even though I don't think we will ever have what we've previously experienced when it comes to our "normal". 

I thought I'd give you a little bit of background in case you wonder if this will even be a blog to follow! :-)

In a nutshell: I was a teenage mom/wife that had 4 children and was in a less than healthy marriage for 20+ years. The effects of those formidable years of maturity affected me for years, but I strived to raise and take care of my children in all the ways I never experienced growing up in much the same environment I found myself married into. While not a perfect mother by any means, my children turned out phenomenally well and all are college-educated contributing members of society! That's a win in my book regardless of what we all lived through for so many years. After my marriage ended, I decided to take the dive again - what a disaster that was! No need to get into all the details, but 6 years ago on the day after Christmas - 26 December I was told, "It appears this relationship is over. When can you get out of my house?"

Who knew me standing in the county clerk's office on 31 December 2014 filing divorce papers would be the beginning of the greatest years of my life?!? To say 2015 started off with a *bang* is putting it mildly! During the year I also discovered OneWord365 - where instead of choosing a New Year's resolution, you choose a word to focus on. I liked this idea tremendously and decided to pursue it beginning in 2016. I'll write more in future posts about each year and the experiences, but for now, I will leave you with my words from the past few years.

#simplicity2016; #steadfast2017; #believe2018; #fire2019; #stillness2020; and....2021 to be revealed soon.

I've had some pretty cool years lately with late 2019 being my most *explosive* with the discovery after 50+ years of my paternal biological family! Notice the word for 2019?!? And can we just say, unbeknownst to me, who knew 2020 would really be about "stillness"? Heck, you're pretty much still when you're in lockdown mode!

I believe in authenticity, being passionate and positive, so I hope you'll enjoy the ramblings of a middle-aged Granna that is trying her best to live a life of laughter, living, and love!