A new year usually means new beginnings. We set goals for ourselves and try to become better people. And there is nothing wrong with that at all. But if you're like me it's pretty much the same goals year after year. Eat better, get in shape, lose that extra weight, actually be on time to work, be better about posting on my blog, travel more and the list goes on and on. We start full force but by the middle of January we tend to revert back to our old ways and then get so mad at ourselves because we couldn't meet our goals.

Two years ago I decided that I wasn't going to do the traditional New Years resolutions. Yes while I still wanted to do all of these things I felt like I needed something more than the same things I tell myself every year; I want to become more of the person that God wants me to be and less of the person that I want me to be. Not that God doesn't want me to try to be healthier; He does, I mean it is His temple after all. But I want to focus more on that being the person He made me to be. So instead of resolutions I started doing the word of the year. I start praying right after Christmas for God to lead me to a word that I should strive to be or that I need to be more of or better at.

Two years ago my word was SHINE. I wanted to shine for Him. Everyone that I came into contact with should be able to see Him through me. In everything (even in my knee replacement) I wanted to give Him glory for it all. Because really that's how it should be. In everything give thanks (good and bad). I wanted and still want to be the light on the hill or be His light in a dark place. I strive for that even today. So even though that was my word two years ago it has stuck with me and continues to be a part of my life.

Last year my word was INSPIRE. I have people come up to me a lot and tell me that I'm inspiring; but honestly I don't get it. When people say this to me it's usually when I'm living my every day life. I'm just living. It's when I'm doing things for myself but I guess that others maybe wouldn't do if they were in my situation. But to me I'm just getting things done. So even though I get told I'm inspiring I wanted to try to be more aware and inspire people in the right way and that's toward Jesus! When someone used to tell me that they've been inspired by me they want to know how I live my life or how I do the things that I do; in the past I've been known to just shrug it off and say I'm just living my life. But when inspire became my word I became more mindful of my answer and began to tell others that it's only through my faith (because honestly it is) and I'm just living my life the best way I know how. Before it seemed like I was taking all the glory when really it's not me at all. But now I'm giving glory where glory is deserved. And this I will continue to be answer. Pointing it all back to Him.

Which leads me to 2019....what will my word be? I'm not sure yet. I've been praying about it and asking God to point it out to me but it's not totally clear yet. A couple of words have come to mind and if God points one out more than the other or just slaps me in the face with one then that's what my word will be. I can't wait to see what He points out to me this week.

Do you do anything like this? What are your New Years resolutions? If you have a word of the year what is it and why?