2023 Word of the Year: Intentional
May is a month of celebrating for my family. Mother's Day, birthdays, and anniversaries all start in May and continue through June. As I was pondering and planning for this month, I wondered what I could do to celebrate every day.
Thoughts from my Journal:
- Intentional Celebration of the life Jesus paid for us to have should happen daily. We celebrate by cultivating a lifestyle of worship, thanksgiving, gratefulness, and joyful expectation.
- When I celebrate I do a little extra, decorating, special foods, dressing up, etc. Be courageous and explore outside of my box. Don't be afraid to push some boundaries and do a little extra. Dress up for no reason, pick flowers for a bouquet, and add a tablecloth to the table.
- Let my child come out and play. Sing in the sunshine, splash in a puddle, talk to the birds and squirrels, and dig in the dirt. Laugh and smile every day.
- Believe that anything can happen and celebrate whatever happens.
- Live the autobiography that you want to be written about you. Focus on the life you want to live and live that life.
- Be creative. Open my eyes and see the goodness the Lord has blessed me with. Focus on what I have and what I can do with it.
Scriptures:
A happy heart is good medicine, but low spirits sap one’s strength. Proverbs 17:22 CJB
This day belongs to the Lord! Let's celebrate and be glad today. Psalms 118:24 CEV
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 AMPC
I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10 MSG
Quotes:
Live Life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift; there is nothing small about it. — Florence Nightingale
Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated! —Unknown
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.— Oprah Winfrey
Every day of your life is a special occasion.—Thomas S. Monson
Picture It:
Action Plan:
Find ways to celebrate each day!
- Plant a cut flower garden
- Enjoy the rhubarb
- Have a party with Steve to celebrate taking the plastic off the porch windows
My Celebration:
Read a magazine in the garden with a glass of Rhubarb Lemonade!
Discoveries along the way:
I made the decision to have my gallbladder removed. I wasn't in any pain, however, I had a large stone. After it was removed, the doctor said the gallbladder was in bad shape and if left untended, it could have been life-threatening.
This is the second time in recent years that I was told this. The first was a kidney stone that caused sepsis before I realized what was happening.
My body is getting older. One day, I will die and stand before Jesus. Can I say I lived the life that He died to give me?
I can't change the past, but I can live each day of my future celebrating and living the life He provided for me.
Highlights & Review:
I'm trying to take pictures of the fun and intentional times each month. It has become one of the favorite parts of my journal!
I received a shadow box of the flag as a gift that was the perfect addition to our porch wall. Celebrated Mother's Day and Mom's Birthday with my Mom, sister, daughter, and husband at Cracker Barrell. Made rhubarb jam and other goodies with produce from the rhubarb patch. Created a new herb garden (new blog coming about it) and, of course, did some thrifting on a road trip I took with Steve. While at home, I enjoyed the tulips, lilacs, and other spring flowers sipping coffee on my porch.
How is you One Word Journey progressing?
I hope is it going well. Drop me a comment and let me know.