JOY

I find it funny how things happen sometimes.  The last couple weeks of 2011 I felt like I was starting a new journey but the only thing "new" that I knew was coming up was the New Year. 

I kept coming across the word JOY and so decided to make 2012 my year of JOY.  To seek JOY.  To be more JOYful.  To be more JOY-filled. 

I found a 52 week devotional on JOY without even looking for one.  It is called Choosing Joy:  A 52-week Devotional for Discovering True Happiness by Angela Thomas.

I have only done the first week but would highly recommend it.  The days are short but leave one thinking.  I like this since I also have a couple other devotionals I like to read. 

At the end of week one I had to write out a mission statement.  I have to admit I had no idea how to write a personal mission statement.  So I googled it like I do lots of things and came up with a short personal JOY mission statement for 2012.

So.....

Today I left church with a paper that lists the upcoming ladies Bible Studies.  I did what I usually do and looked up the one I was interested in to read about it.  I am a bit of an information junkie...weird I know but it is who I am. 

Somehow I ended up on a website about resolutions.  Don't ask me how but I do that a lot.  I start on one thing and before I know it I have been to several sites, blogs, etc... reading what others have to say about many different things.  That is how I end up spending way too much time on the computer when there are other things to do (resolution...spend less time on the computer...working on it!!).

Seriously, I came upon this site called "myoneword.org" and it talks about what I did without even knowing there was a website and others doing the same thing.  Here is the site if anyone is interested in knowing more about it:

It makes so much more sense then all the resolutions made and usually go by the wayside in a month or so.  I still plan to exercise, eat healthy (those 2+ donuts this morning don't count), have a better sleep schedule (don't work tomorrow so the fact that it is almost midnight does not count)....but those are just things I need to do all the time anyway.  My one word--JOY is more of who I want to be and how I want to live from the inside out.

So those are my plugs for today...the book and the website. 

"Be Joyful always."  1 Thessalonians 5:16

Reflecting...

I can't believe 2011 is almost over and a new year will begin.  Boy does time fly.  I don't know about you but this time of year I tend to reflect back on the year and think about the new year.  It has been one crazy year for me.

I started the year with 2 jobs, one I was about to quit and one I was getting ready to start.  I started the one and worked my last day at the other the same week...that was crazy.

Then on Feb. 13th I felt the call to go to Haiti with a team from my church.  I did fight this for a week before I agreed to go.  All that is in an earlier post.  So I had 5 weeks to prepare to go on my very first missions trip.

Those 5 weeks were insane.  All the prep, meetings, shopping for things I needed.  I only had to get 2 shots since working in health care I am up to date on all the ones needed around here.  Doctor visit for meds to take.  Wow, so much to do in such a short time.  Plus my fear of flying (again in an earlier post).  I also quit my job in those 5 weeks. 

They went fast with all that was going on but it was so worth it to go to Haiti.  That was so amazing and I thank God for sending me and allowing me that experience.

In July I started a new job that seems to be a much better fit and that is where I am now.  I am part time but I seem to stay pretty busy.

So it has been a busy year for me.  Add in all my family stuff and that just makes it even more crazy.

In thinking about this past year and the new year to come I thought to myself 'why do we do this?', meaning reflect at the end of a year and make new goals at the beginning.  Maybe it is easier.  Something people just do.  I don't know for sure but I do it and I know others do as well.  I do believe though that we should take time to reflect and remember things all throughout the year and be OK with setting new goals if needed because everyday is a new day and a new beginning.

I am setting some goals for 2012 and a lot of them will be the same as before.  I am a work in progress.  I am going to work on taking one day at a time and enjoy life.  I don't want to get myself worked up because I did not meet a goal but be able to start new every day and just work to meet that days goals. 

Hope you all have had a great 2011 and look forward to a wonderful 2012!!

Bring on 2012 because I am ready!!