Great in '08 - to be a better friend, daughter, sister, etc...to set realistic goals for myself...to challenge myself in new ways, etc
Redefine in '09 - to not be confined to previous expectations
2010, Live Your Life - to live my life without getting bogged down in ridiculous things or becoming worried about everything to come
Most years it's been fairly easy for me to come up with a theme...because I've had a good idea of what I wanted out of the upcoming year based on the year prior. However, this time around it was a little difficult to come up with what I wanted this year's focus to be....I think I was a little jumbled, because I felt drawn to several concepts that seemed unrelated. It even became a running joke New Year's Eve night among my friends. Since last year's theme was based on a song...they kept suggesting mantras such as "Party Like a Rockstar," "Bottoms Up" and "All I Do is Win." The funny thing is that I seriously almost chose "Dog Days are Over" as my theme...mainly for these lyrics:
Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children, all your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind.
You can't carry it with you if you want to survive
I don't know the actual intent...but I interpret the lyrics to mean seek out those who genuinely care for you, give all the love you have because it doesn't do any good to withhold it and stop focusing on things that you can't change.
That being said...I decided to go a different, semi-related route and select 'eat, pray, love.'
Now let me just say that I honestly don't like the inherent association with the movie or book...because I don't personally advocate the message of either. Nothing about my 2011 mantra is about running away from problems or leaving friends/loved ones behind to escape the reality of my circumstances just to focus all my efforts on myself. I do, however, like the actual words. They're simple and straightforward in their message, yet incredibly powerful. My resolve is about embracing a full life that is healthy on multiple levels....deepening my faith and further developing my knowledge of Christ....loving my family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers in a way that exhibits the love of my Savior.
Eat. Pray. Love.
2011, let the journey continue.... :)
