When I heard my sweet buddy, Layla, was having a Word of the Year party, I couldn’t wait to get all reflective and join in!
Last year was quite crazy, very whirlwind-ish, sprinkled with lots of “whoa, I can’t believe this is happening” moments.
via Lauren Cochran Photography
It was a thrilling, exciting ride…a year where possibility soared.
This year, though, there’s something that’s tugging at me.
While I feel big, amazing opportunities still floating in the air, I feel the need to find strength, grace, & balance somewhere else.
I almost chose the word, “authentic,” but as I wrote, and knocked words around in my head, it occurred to me that being present, making decisions, serious authenticity, all of the thankfulness, all the real moments…there’s a place that will come from.
From within.
I want to make choices, business/blog & personal, from a true, authentic place. Within me…within us–me & Matt, I mean.
It’s funny, delicate business to say this out loud: blogging could be quite competitive if we let it. I know. I said it. It could be me trying to produce too much of a show…to see how much I could accomplish for the blog’s sake. It could be focused everywhere but within. Don’t get me wrong: I find great inspiration & encouragement from blogs–people never cease to amaze me with their ingenuity & creativity!
But I’m not them. And they’re not me. What’s right, what’s busy, what’s doable & balanced…that’s different for all of us.
We have some big decisions/opportunities dancing around the the small bubble of our lives. They have me thinking about what is really important to us–what I see for our life. And that has me stopping to be sure I’m not caught up in the romance of those big opportunities. I want to take the ones that are right for us, and to be constant in my devotion to All that’s important, today & 30 years from now.
I don’t want to compare, to race, to envy, to emulate, to focus on what everyone else around me is doing. Personally, spiritually, blogging…every facet of my life.
I believe we’ve found that this year. And it feels good.
Finding a place, finding the quiet within to do all the things we want & feel called to do–that’s where we’re headed.
That’s my word.
Oh dear friend! You’ve said this so well!!! Thank you for your honesty and for writing about that nasty competitiveness that comes out in trying to be someone else. You rock!
xoxo
Thanks, Myra!! You’re not too bad yourself.
xoxo,
shaunna
Competitiveness…it can be such a nasty word and yet we’re all prone to it in one way or another. May this new year be one filled with grace for you and your beautiful family:)
You’re totally right, Sarah…Matt and I have always, always tried to do “our thing” and no one else’s. Thanks for your sweet blessing!
shaunna
Beautifully said.
Thank you, Chrystal!!
shaunna
Such a great word, Shaunna! I love your thoughts & you always write them so well. I think there are big things for all of us this year. xoxo
me too, Rhoda! SO happy we get to do it all together!!
xoxo,
shaunna
Well said…I wish you the best in 2012. Looks like I need to find my word:)
Blessings,
Linda
Well thought out. You express some of my own feelings perfectly. I am an imperfect blogger..and cannot really compete at all with all the talented bloggers out there..but within me I do want to compete and am always torn between my desire to blog for personal growth and my desire to become a blogger of recognition. I love your word….because the best blogs do come from within.
What an inspiring word~ within!
I’d love for you to see my word.
Be blessed!
I just wanted to share that i’m always excited when there is a new post in my RSS feeder from your blog. i’m always ready to see something beautiful and inspiring. Ya i get a bit jealous once in a while
but I always leave with beauty in my mind. After reading this specific post i realized one more reason why i love your blog. You are very real in your writing you don’t seem unaproachable and I love how your faith shows without being pushy 
Thank you for sharing! BTW that family pic is too CUTE!!
Thank you, Trina. What lovely things you said–made my night.
shaunna
Your word is very close to mine – PEACE. If you are not feeling right inside, nothing on the outside will compensate for that. What a wise person you are to see beyond the footlights! ~ Maureen
H Shaunna,
Thank you for this post. I have been planning on starting my own blog and feeling pressure (my own) that I will need to post everyday in order to build the blog. This has been holding me back as I just won’t have the time in my life to commit to that amount of time. I will need to do what is right for me and what feels right within. Great advice from someone with experience.
Thank you
Hi Shaunna,
What a great thought for your word of the year. It incorporates many of the words I wanted to use and brings them all together. I hope your find your everything from Within in 2012. Congrats on a moving post.
Kim
Thank you for your blog, your ideas and most of all your integrity. Anytime we go within we will never go without the important things in life.
It is hard to put my finger on it, so I’ve stopped trying – to understand what exactly it is that makes me anticipate your posts and relax when one arrives. They’re like coming home to me I guess. Your goodness shines through in all you do, and you care. You truly do. Thank you!
Thank you is not quite enough, Melinda. Oh my–thank you for such kind, kind words.
shaunna
What a beautiful post! You chose the perfect word. It’s a message I needed to read. Thank you!
Laurie (House of 30Four)
Lovely! I’m trying to let my word of the year CREATE new insights and confidence in what I can accomplish! Thanks for your inspiration! wordjaney.blogspot.com
I hope your word worked out for you this year. I chose “Emerge” and I’ll be doing a year end report on that soon. I found this post while looking for ideas for my 2013 word. Please feel free to stop by my blog!
Hi Shaunna,
I love your blog, you inspire me! I also love to choose a Word or scripture for the year! Thanks for sharing and it is pretty awesome seeing your progress, you are pretty Amazing!