Saturday, January 3, 2015

My One Little Word 2015 - Mindful

My Little Word for 2015 is “mindful.”  [I'm participating in Ali Edwards' annual 12-month journey.]


 As I turn 58 this year, I am “mindful” of the fact that my life is finite and that each day I am given is truly a gift.  How many years have I gone through life either so self-absorbed or mindless that each day mattered?  Half-asleep?


At work, we are doing a yearlong series on “practicing mindfulness.”  As much as it is trying to not focus on this, there is no question that mindfulness is a concept of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Transcendental Meditation.  That’s a shame, because I do believe my Christian life is to be one that is mindful…and it has nothing to do with the world’s definition.

As a child, my pastor, Rev. Smith, wrote in my autograph book (do they even have those anymore?) “Only one life,’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”  It has been on my mind for weeks.


 I want to be aware of life as it comes by each moment by moment.  Every action is purposeful and means something (and not all is positive).  But if I am not mindful of it, how can I correct or adjust?

One night last week I got into bed so mindful of the warmth and security of those plaid flannel sheets in bed.  What else have I missed through hurry?


 I also chose this word so that I take responsibility over the daily choices I make.  This can be with regard to what I eat, what I say, what I think, what I deny, what I avoid, what I write, how I write or say something, what I do with my time, what I don’t do with my time, when I go to bed, when I get up, how I spend my time-talents-treasures (to coin a phrase from Howard Duma), how I respond, how I nurture myself and others, what I give, when I give, how I give, and on-and-on.


 Maybe I’m at the time of my life where I start to experience irreplaceable losses as if I’m running out of time.  My parents are now both gone to heaven.  My mother’s best friend, Mary, who is such a strong connection to my mother, turns 80 this year. 

I have a husband, a son, a daughter, three grandsons, patients/families, coworkers, neighbors, strangers that I come across every single day.  How can I make a difference if I am not mindful?  How can I leave a mark that points to Jesus if I’m not mindful of my own accountability? 


Life goes fast.  It is a gift.  I want to be mindful with every ounce I have and soak it all in out of gratitude to my God and Savior, who is ever mindful of me.







15 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your one word. My one word for this year is content. I want to be fully awake to all the things I have to be thankful for. I miss out too much on joys and gifts in my life because I complain instead of looking for the gifts. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. :-)

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  2. Denise,,,,thanks so much for sharing this post,,,,,a thought provoking one.... I think this is a very good word!! I admire you writing talent as well as photographic skills,,,, keep up the good work,,,

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  3. Great word, Denise! Love your word and love the reasons for choosing it. Looking forward to 2015 and your blog!

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  4. Great word, something I think we should all remember each day.

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  5. When I think of my best friend, who has had cancer for over two years now, and another dear friend, who was just diagnosed in the next week, I think about how non-mindful my life has been. Your post has really made me think. My word for 2015 was DIFFERENT and being MINDFUL would be one excellent way to be different in 2015. Alana

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  6. Great word choice for the year ahead.

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  7. Such a good word, Denise! That word resonates with me as well. My last three words of the year: savor, intention, and seek, all have something to do with mindfulness as well. Thank you for sharing your word and your thoughts. You know, if we all adopted mindfulness, the world would certainly be a better place.

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  8. Such a good word, it sure is needed by all of us to be mindful. My word for the year is conviction.

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  9. A great post Denise , becoming mindful is one of my goals this year as well. Time flashes by and as I reach my 60th year I'm becoming so aware of time....

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  10. Like that word. I couldn't decide between "gratitude" and "be kind." Think I'll keep them both!

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  11. Perfect word for the year. Love the art you created for the word. Love coming for a visit.

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  12. Wonderful word for this year! We could all use a little more mindfulness in our daily lives.

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  13. This is so good! I am doing Ali's class too...I feel as if it's the first day of school and I'm looking around to see who else is in class with me.

    xoxo

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  14. Mindfulness. It's a big word, it's a state of one's mind encompassing so many different mental states.. It's a therapeutic term. Once you reach that state, you become very close to greatness. It''s also an inspiring word, and I'm greatly inspired by it.

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  15. Such a good word! Wonderful post, so much to think about!

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Every comment is read personally by me and is deeply appreciated!