Why I use a "word of the day."

I have always wanted to live my life with intention, not just letting things happen to me, but making things happen and choosing what I want to happen. That being said, I am in the middle of a job change that I did not choose. My job was eliminated due to budget cuts, and I was reassigned to another job in the same company. When the possibilities first seemed like certainties, I felt I was in a personal tsunami, overwhelmed, disappointed, and angry. But, rather than simmer in that negative soup, I took a respite trip to Indiana to be around one of the smartest, most encouraging people I know, my older sister, Brenda. I needed to be the one to decide my next steps through words, conversation, brainstorming and getting feedback. We had three full days so we chose the word "nourishment," as our theme for our time together. We walked daily, ate healthful meals, and talked and talked. Knowing just what I needed, Brenda had already planned some experiences that were nourishing, but we added things as we went to cover the mind, body, and soul. Each day we started out thinking of a new word on which to focus. One day it was "joy," and we looked for it, we were open to it, and we were not disappointed. One day it was "worship," and though we did not go to a house of worship, we spent our day in prayer and quiet conversation, acknowledging God in our lives, and our place in the universe. On another day, which happened to be Memorial Day, we chose "family," to honor the tradition to gather and remember those who have served in the various branches of the military, especially those in our immediate family. Brenda's two sons, their families, and our sister and her husband, Carol and David, were able to join us. We prepared a wonderful meal, celebrated a birthday, and I shared some of the songs I have written over the last three years of an enormous growth spurt in my personal journey. Since that trip, I have continued to adopt a "word of the day," on which to focus my attention and intention. On the days that I have forgotten to choose a word early in the day, I find myself reflecting back and choosing the word that best describes and defines the day that has passed. It has been a wonderful way to start and end each day. This blog will be the vehicle I use to share my word of the day with you. Of course, my words may not always accurately reflect where or who you are, or be what you need. They will be about what I want to create in my life. Perhaps, however, they will help you to begin to see how simple it can be to have the life you really want.