And my word of the year is:.......

I've been reading so many blogs that are announcing that the writer has picked their "word of the year" (check out some of them at The Lettered Cottage and Miss Mustard Seed).  As I wrote before, I don't do new year's resolutions; I did write a to-do list, and since have done so many things different than what is on the list. But I've done something.  And this blog is helping me stay motivated and get things done around here.

So on to the word thing: I've pondered it and tossed it around for a bit, and think I like the idea.  As my minister wrote last week in his column, maybe we should resolve to be "more" of what we can be than focus on what we need to be "less" of (lose weight, stop this or don't do this anymore). So I'm focusing on being "more" of something ....and I always need a push in the right direction.

So here's my word: Are you ready? It's very exciting:
Step.
Yep. Step.
s.t.e.p

As in "take a step" . Step in a direction. Any direction. Move. Get going. Do something to avoid paralysis by analysis.  Step. Go.

I've blogged about my favorite son now for years (he's my one, hence my favorite).  This blog is a new direction: I needed motivation to keep focused and get things done, so it has helped keep me moving.  I need to move more in other ways too (that cholesterol isn't getting lower on it's own, I tell ya).

And the paralysis thing: I learned years ago that I'm a perfectionist. Not that I do things perfectly, but I over-analyze, over think, trying to make a perfect decision before I do anything (ie take a step).  Nothing gets done that way. 

We've lived in this house almost 8 years; I've done a lot, but there is so many more projects I'd like to tackle.  In the last two months, I've made more progress than in years.

Steps.

I listed some jewelry on Etsy: no activity, but that's ok.  I did it, and had fun making the things I have there.  It's something I enjoy, so no loss.  You have to try things to figure them out.  I did more research and found an area of jewelry making that is not covered in my local area, and I took a leap (BIG step) and bought some basic tools to teach myself this progress.  Will it succeed? Don't know.  There is a learning curve that is higher than I expected. But I only have a bit of money to lose.

Steps.

I signed up for a new commitment at church: visiting shut-ins.  Wow-I don't know either of the three people I've been assigned to, and it's honestly a bigger commitment than I bargained for.  But I'm going--to take a step--and I imagine it will benefit me as much if not more than the people I end up meeting.  I keep putting it off, but I will take the step.

Steps: Literal steps, to get healthy, so I'm around for a long time to see this beautiful 8 year old boy grow up.  Pup and I took a long walk today. Lots of steps.  And the boy had me play a new game he made up. It basically was throw the ball and run and see who can get to it first. I can't beat him, but I ran my hardest.  And we live on major hills....so that was a lot of hard earned steps. And we laughed and had a "ball". (hehe...pun intended).

And this post, which is more personal than usual--I hope you don't mind, but it's what's on my bloggy mind. 

And tomorrow and Friday, I'll share with you two recent house project steps I've taken: one very successful and I'm excited about, and one that's ehhh....may need to take a step backward on that one.

But I'll keep plugging along and taking steps. One at a time. Failures or successes, it only matter to keep moving. 
Especially in stuff like this...it's only paint and fabric; there is nothing life changing here, just creativity and fun, and hopefully a little motivation and "you can do it too" bit of encouragement for other moms and women out there. 

Take a step...what do you need to get done??