2017 WORD OF THE YEAR

I have thought long and hard about my word of the year.
This word will be my focus for the next 365 days.
SELF.

The word SELF is defined as:

+ Person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality
+ A person's nature, character, etc.
+ Personal interest

COMPLETE INDIVIDUALITY
Do you ever feel you don't know who you are? Do you feel like you blend in to the background? At almost 35 I have yet to define my style. I don't know who I am. This makes me feel lost.

I want to find myself this year. I want to spend time finding out who I am through God. He knows me better than I know myself. I want to know how he sees me and who he wants me to be.

PERSONAL NATURE & CHARACTER
What is your personal nature? How do you react in certain situations? What characteristics are you proud of? What would you change?

Fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. These are the characteristics we are meant to have. Be kind. Be gentle. Be good.

As I write this I am thinking about my behavior. I have a weakness of being easily agitated and frustrated. It doesn't take much for me to be annoyed and get set off. I am a red head with a short fuse. I don't like this part of me. It is not loving, patient, or gentle.

This year I will bear the fruit of the spirit. I will harvest and multiply kindness, peace, love, and joy. I will put my SELF first by being SELFless to others.

PERSONAL INTEREST
How do you spend your free time? Do you have free time? Do you have a list of desires to be healthier, stronger, or in better shape? Do you have hobbies and projects collecting dust because they aren't "important"? Do you find yourself slowly slipping away?

I think part of the reason I don't know who I am (or at least feel this way) is because I don't do things for myself. Do I like to exercise? I don't know. I never give myself time to find out. Do I like to cook? Maybe.

What do I want to do with my time this year?

I deserve to put my personal interest first. It is better for everyone because they get a more spiritually, physically, and mentally sound mother and wife. No one is going to tell me to go to the gym. They wouldn't dare, even if they mean well. I have to put mySELF first. It will take me being intentional with my time. It will take me making the harder choice. It will mean some things will not get done, but that's ok. I will feel good. I will be better.

2017 PRIORITIES:

+ Time alone in prayer and in God's word
+ Exercise and Healthy Eating
+ Passion Planning
+ Daily reading and writing
+ Personal time with loved ones

I am taking 2017 very personal. It will be a year of change and growth for me. It is very difficult to put yourself under the microscope and make necessary changes. I've tried before and gave up. I am making a promise to myself now that I will not give up on me again.

Do you have a word of the year? Please share. I would love to hear about your plans for 2017.