I have never been one to right down New Year’s Resolutions. Growing up, I remember adults around me making their lists as we spent time together celebrating on New Year’s Eve. It has never been something I really have done. Perhaps it is my fear of failing and feeling that I might.
I know there is not much difference from writing out goals (at any time of the year), but in my head it is different. I *do* like the idea of having a word for the focus in the new year. The word you choose can help encourage you as you work toward your goals. It can be a measuring stick in what you add or remove in the way of habits and routines. It can be a word to inspire you.
This is my second year for choosing such a word. Last year’s word was “DO”. I did do a lot more with my children, said yes more often, was more spontaneous. All of those were ideas I had in mind when choosing that word. This year, I wanted my word to have a bigger impact in more areas of my life. When praying about and trying to think of a word that encompassed all I want to start or keep working on, I kept coming back to this one word. FIT
FIT can have many meanings. When thinking of plans and goals, the first thing I think of is physically fit. I have had as a goal eating better and exercising more for a few years. We are making steps each week towards eating healthier. Exercising, though, is something that I let slide much to often.
I also need to learn more about and put in practice what I learn concerning fiscal fitness. I need to be more consistent with writing out meal-plans, try to save and learn about investing. Gone are the days of socking your money away in savings account or under your mattress. After reading the Richest Man in Babylon, I see the need for investing to see my money grow. I am also working slowly towards having this site bring in some income – that will then grow even more through investing.
FITting it all in is always a struggle for any homeschool mom. I am not just thinking of all of our school interests (core subjects + extras like art and music, hymn studies — all the neat things that drew me to Charlotte Mason style learning in the first place) – though that is a big part of it. There is also the additional time for personal needs (Bible study tops my list here), homesteading projects and homemaking tasks. Whew! It can be like working a puzzle with too many pieces.
That will certainly lead to my next thoughts towards FIT. If it doesn’t FIT it’s okay to quit. This might be curriculum — it may be great, but not so great for that particular child. It can also be clothes – keeping closets and drawers cleaned out. It might also mean one of those tasks or activities that we’re trying to fit in. If it (whatever it is) no longer fits, have no guilt over getting rid of it.
That’s a tall order for such a small word. I am hoping this word will help me when I am working on lesson plans, chore lists and all of the other goals and projects throughout the year. I’ll be sharing more about specific helps for some of these things (and giving some of them away too!) over the coming days and weeks. Stay tuned and help keep me accountable (for both working on these things and sharing with you all about them).
Read other Crew members’ posts on their inspiring word for the new year
http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/2014-word-for-the-year-round-up/
