one word

one word: encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. explain why you’re choosing that word. now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

2010: survival

this past year has definitely been a bit of a roller coaster. lots of up & just as many downs. i feel like i’ve spent the better part of the year, simply hanging on, hoping to survive the ride.  & i’ve definitely forgotten that “life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.”

throughout 2010, i’ve watched life happen around me, as an observer, instead of an active participant – living life in a deep, dark tunnel, constantly trying to reach that itty bitty light i see peeping through. i’ve literally been living life, one day a time, just hoping to survive…

images via etsy

2011: happiness

so often happiness seems to get caught up in the “whens” and “ifs” of life: i will be happy when, or my life will be complete if. this next year, i want to be happy. i want to remember…

anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. the fact is that most putts don’t drop. most beef is tough. most children grow up to be just ordinary people. most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration.most jobs are more often dull than otherwise…life is like an old-time rail journey – delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. the trick is the thank the lord for letting you have the ride… gordon b. hinckley

in 2011, i want to really ENJOY the ride. i want to stop worrying about the little things in life and start living as though everyday were a special occasion… i want to use my good china for no reason, get gussied up to go to the grocery store, forget about the laundry to spend a little more time with the kids & live with no regrets. i want to remember that “life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.”

this next year, not only do i want to live, i want to live happily ever after.

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i’m participating with literally thousands of bloggers in a year-end moment of “reflection on what’s happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead.” want to play along? go here.