One Word 2020

The new year is upon us. We have stepped out from 2019 and before us stretches a fresh new decade and year.  Old calendars are removed and replaced with crisp, new ones. In the air there is a feeling of promise for what could be. Are you ready for 2020?

I've been pondering my Word for 2020, and tried a few on for size. I wanted the word to evoke positive thoughts, to be meaningful for where I'm at right now in my life circumstances, and to be almost like a breath prayer.

I've settled on  the word BREATHE.

I can't help but think of my precious grandchild who was born the other day, on December 29th. He took his first breath at 7:15 a.m. What a miracle life is!

Breath is the foundation of life. There is no life without it. It permeates our being.

Our breath is holy, since it originated with God. According to Genesis 2, He breathed his breath in us, and we became living souls.  That's a thought to sit with!

When I'm overwhelmed, the word BREATHE will remind me to get back to basics. I'll stop tensing up and trying to figure things out. Just breathe. In and out.  Finding my breath will help me to surrender what I can not do in my own strength. It will remind me that I'm going into 2020 with God, rather than on my own, and that He's always with me, as near as my breath.

I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.

Have you chosen a word or phrase for 2020?

Five Minute Friday: Breathe

Without thinking too much about it, after reading Paula's post,  I decided to take the Five Minute Friday Challenge - writing for 5 minutes on the word of the week, like a freewrite, so no editing allowed! Here goes...

Breathe. 

Just breathe. How many times have I said that to myself? Just breathe. Take a deep breath.

Sometimes circumstances are such that I feel my thoughts spinning or playing over and over like a broken record. Maybe it’s something I said that I regret. Perhaps it’s something I did that I can’t undo. And so I get on this track that’s moving so quickly, I can’t get off. Does that ever happen to you?

Sometimes I just need to take a step back and breathe. Slow my thoughts down and then sit myself down and tell myself the truth. Is this a life or death situation? Is this the end of the world as I know it?  Will I become homeless through these actions? Will I ruin someone’s life? The truth is, it’s uncomfortable, I am sorry I made that decision, and yes, it even hurts a little. Especially when it’s not the first time it’s happened. Big reveal: I’m not perfect. 2^nd Biggest Reveal: And that’s okay. In fact, it’s good. Can you imagine how much pressure there is on having to do everything right ALL THE TIME?

So, after a ‘cool off’ period with myself, somewhat like being penalized in a hockey game (mind you, I have rarely played hockey!), I calm down and it doesn’t seem like such a big deal anymore. What was I all flustered about anyway? It was one little mistake.

And I breathed. 

***

There.. that wasn't so bad ;)