Words…
They’re powerful.
They bring on emotions and feelings:
*love & hate
*happiness & sadness
*inspiration & encouragement
There are thousands and thousands of words out there but I chose one, just One Little Word, to be my inspiration and encouragement for 2015. Choosing my OLW wasn’t easy, but I truly don’t think I chose it. My OLW actually chose me. You see 2014 brought on a lot of changes and probably the biggest change was my daughter going away to college. After eighteen years of having her by my side, all of sudden she was gone! Not really gone, you know what I mean, but she wasn’t right by my side anymore. Heck, she wasn’t even in the same town anymore. She was miles and miles away!
Gone were the trips to Target.
Gone were the XC meets in the fall.
Gone were family breakfasts and dinners.
Gone were the quick escapades to the mall.
Gone were the evenings of just hanging out at home.
Gone! Gone! Gone!
You gotta love my family and friends though. They would ask me how I was doing and I would share that I was fine. Just getting use to the house that was even more quiet now. Truth be told, I was secretly hoping they wouldn’t hear the ping of emptiness in my heart. I would get up in the morning and my day always seemed to have the same ho-hum routine. It was something like this:
- Eat breakfast
- Pack lunches
- Take care of our furry friends
- Go to work
- Collaborate with colleagues
- Teach my students
- Go home
- Run-4 miles, 5 miles, 6 miles 🙂
- Make dinner (Okay, maybe I really didn’t make dinner & those of you who know me well know what I mean!)
- Clean up the house
- Take care of our furry friends
- Read
- Sleep
- Repeat
Needless to say, I found myself in a rut and pondering what my purpose was. So, what did I do? Well, I made a list because I love to make lists, really I do! 🙂 And, that list making, well it really put my purpose into perspective. I stumbled upon that list when I was searching for my OLW and, voila, just like that my OLW for 2015 found me. Drum roll, please!
My OLW for 2015 is:
My OLW for 2015
Good-bye to those ho-hum days of 2014. Now when I find myself in that rut I will subtly remind myself of my OLW.
My purpose to be a good mother even though my daughter is away at school.
My purpose to be a good wife, family member, and friend.
My purpose to be an athlete and continue to run and exercise.
My purpose to be the best teacher I can be.
My purpose to continue to read and enrich my life through the written words of others.
My purpose to love and care for our furry friends.
Want to find out more about OLW? Then check out the book or watch this quick video from YouTube. (And thanks to THE WRIGHT STUFF for sharing the video too!)
If you do have One Little Word please share!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
🙂
Runner, Reader, & Rockin' Mom 
Lovely post! Here’s to a purpose-filled 2015!
Thank you, Donna!
I enjoyed reading about your word and the rationale. My oldest is in 5th grade, and though the going off to college seems so far away, I know that when the day arrives, it is going to feel shocking that the time is really there. I am appreciating reading other bloggers talking about the experience and how they cope with it so that I can draw from that wisdom when I reach that phase. Until then, I am working toward focusing on my family and savoring these childhood years.
Enjoy 2015!
Thanks, Amanda! Time does go fast. It feels like just yesterday my daughter was in 5th grade. Do enjoy and savor those childhood years!
What a great word! I can see how it found you – like it was meant for you. I hope it changes your life this year, especially the empty ping in your heart. 😦
Thanks, Dana!
I just grinned when I read that you love to make lists. I do too. Purpose is such a meaningful word. I love how your writing passion shifts from the “ping of emptiness” to a the passion of a purpose-driven year. Happy New Year!
Yay! A fellow list maker! Thank you for your compliments and for visiting my blog. I’m glad I participated in the slicing!
I like the list you created. Sounds like PURPOSE was the perfect choice!
Thanks, Stacey!
What a journey you have been on — I’m amazed at all that you do and accomplished!! (1,000 miles?!? Woo-hoo!!) It sounds like finding and continuing your purpose is just what you need this year! Looking forward to more posts in the future! Enjoy that journey!
Thank you, Michelle!
Great word. I can so relate with the emotions of your daughter leaving for college. My second daughter left over 12 years ago for college and I truly moped around the house, lost, for a while month. I was in the “rut” and it takes a while to get out of it. I adore the time I get with my girls now and savor every single moment!