A couple of years ago I started the tradition of picking a power word for the year. In fact, I started with STRENGTH and last year I selected FAITH.My intent was to have more FAITH in my training and myself but I am still in awe on how much FAITH did play into 2014. It went way beyond my running and training and into my spiritual life in a deeper and more meaningful way. I never imagined that my FAITH in God would blossom and take a stronger foothold in my life. I never imagined I would start blogging more about my FAITH. I was always too afraid of venturing into potentially sensitive areas.
I am a Libra and a middle child so keeping the peace is a strong element of my personality. Don't stir up too much trouble, be accepting, and go with the flow. But sometimes I think we do need to stir up the good stuff and not all flows are good. That is why this year I was leaning towards selecting the power word COURAGE. My FAITH was blossoming, my STRENGTH as a woman, mother, runner had blossomed, but I still felt fear. I needed COURAGE.
But still I feared selecting that as my power word. I had doubts. So I went to the Lift Your Sole website to check out their brag bars. I know this sounds crazy but in 2013 I got a brag bar with the word STRENGTH on it. In 2014 I got a charm with the word FAITH. It seemed logical to pick out a charm that I can wear in 2015 and no, I didn't wear FAITH all year in 2014. Sometimes I opted for STRENGTH, some days I did need my FAITH, and some days I had no power word strung around my neck.
And what did I discover at Lift Your Sole? Not only did they have a brag bar that said COURAGE, it was on sale! If that isn't divine intervention at work, I don't know what is. It confirmed what I was doubting. I now had the FAITH that COURAGE was to be my power word for 2015.
So today I sit before you typing with COURAGE telling you my goals for 2015.
I am going to blog with more purpose. I want to get structured with daily themes (Motivational Mondays, Tuesdays Tunes, Friday Favorites). I am sticking with my Daily Gratitude but the Daily Affirmation will be replaced with a Daily Bible Verse. I don't feel I need to remind myself of my strengths anymore and that can always be tied into gratitude if I need a reminder.
I have the FAITH and STRENGTH I need. Now I just need the COURAGE to stand up and tell the world that I believe in God. That I believe He has a purpose for me in life. That I believe running and blogging is part of my purpose. That I believe He matched me perfectly with Toby. That I was meant to run for Down syndrome awareness and now, I need to stand up and have the COURAGE to tell the world I also run for God because I honestly believe without Him there is no way I would have been able to run 1,098 consecutive running days and over 5,000 streak miles.
But COURAGE is not just for my running. I will have the COURAGE to make my home a better home. I will have the COURAGE to say things are not all bliss with dear hubby. I will have the COURAGE to say I have failed him. I will have the COURAGE to make things better, to continue to pray, to love unconditionally, and to give love even when my heart is hurting. I will have the COURAGE to raise darling daughter and to guide her along her own spiritual growth. I will have the COURAGE to stand up for what I believe in and the COURAGE to not give up when things are feel tough and perhaps impossible. I will remember my STRENGTH, I will keep my FAITH, and I will have COURAGE.
What is your power word for 2015?
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful God has blessed me daily with my running streak.
Daily Bible Verse: Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." ~ 1 Peter 3:13-14
